title: Reaching to grasp with a multi-jointed arm. I. Computational model.
abstract: The generation of goal-directed movements requires the solution of many difficult computational problems. Among these are transformations from extrinsic to intrinsic reference frames, specifying solution paths, removing under-specification due to excess degrees of freedom and path multiplicity, constraint satisfaction, and error correction. There are no current motor-control computational models that address these issues in the context of realistic arm movement with redundant degrees of freedom. In this paper, we conjecture there is a geometric stage between sensory input and physical execution. The geometric stage determines movement trajectories independently of forces. It uses a gradient technique that relies on the metric of the space of postures to resolve endpoint path selection, posture-change specification, error correction, and multiple constraint satisfaction on-line without preplanning. The model is instantiated in an arm with seven degrees of freedom that moves in three-dimensional space. Simulated orientation-matching movements are compared with actual human movement data to assess the validity of several of the model's behavioral predictions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91125, California, USA. etorres@vis.caltech.edu
authors.forename: Elizabeth B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zipser
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001132:Arm / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006225:Hand / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D007596:Joints / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D012371:Robotics