Relation between gravitational and arm-movement direction in the mechanism of perception in bimanual steering

Abstract

This paper presents the effects of the opposing directions of gravity relative to right- and left-arm movement in bimanual steering. We developed a simulated steering system that permits independent left- and right-hand steering and torque presentations on a single axis, and independent measurements of the steering force exerted by each hand. In a steering force measurement experiment, left and right system units were mechanically combined to function as a single steering unit. Measurements of the force exerted by the participants with their left and right hands revealed that in human bimanual steering, the arm moving with gravity exerts a larger steering force than the one moving against gravity. In a steering force discrimination experiment, the system was mechanically configured to provide independence in both the function of the left and right steering units and the presentation of different left- and right-side steering torques. Each participant was then asked whether the steering force was felt to be larger on the left or the right during bimanual steering. The results of this experiment showed no difference between the left and the right arm in the discrimination threshold, but did reveal a perceptual bias in which the forces exerted in arm movements with gravity were perceived as being smaller than the forces exerted against gravity. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the measured force and the force that would be predicted from the obtained perceptual bias.