Biological Engineering Study on the Mechanism Underlying Illusory Pulling Sensations

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K17796
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 61020:Human interface and interaction-related
• Research Institution: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Tanabe Takeshi 国立研究開発法人産業技術総合研究所, 情報・人間工学領域, 主任研究員 (60847557)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 牽引力錯覚 / ヒューマンインタフェース / ハプティクス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aims to elucidate the mechanism behind the illusory pulling sensation using a biological engineering approach that leverages sensory and motor data. From the sensory system perspective, the characteristics of the illusion were investigated in older participants with age-related tactile sensitivity decline (N=40). From the motor system perspective, the influence on wrist motion was evaluated by inducing the illusion during active motion (N=20). Additionally, as an application of motion-assistive technology utilizing illusions, a white cane training system for the visually impaired was developed.

Free Research Field

ハプティクス

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では，牽引力錯覚における性差を世界で初めて明らかにしており，機序解明に向けた新たな糸口を示すことができた．そのため，錯覚における性差という観点でアプローチすることで，より詳細に牽引力錯覚の機序を明らかにすることができる．また，能動的な運動中に牽引力錯覚を誘発することで，感覚と運動で矛盾が生じ，錯覚という感覚入力だけで運動を変化させることを示した．以上の機序解明に向けた基礎研究だけではなく，牽引力錯覚を利用した応用例として，視覚障害者支援の技術も開発しており，社会的に意義のある成果も創出した．