Original title: A Dynamic Computational Model of Head Sway Responses in Human Upright Stance Postural Control during Support Surface Tilt
Authors: Vittorio Lippi, Christoph Maurer, Stefan Kammermeier
In this article, the focus is on the control of head position in human and humanoid posture models. Typically, these models neglect the control of the head and consider it as one with the upper body. However, the head plays a crucial role in human motion sensing, with the vestibular and visual systems residing in the head. The proprioceptive system, which contributes to motor control, is distributed throughout the body.
The article highlights the importance of head motion deficits in neurodegenerative brain diseases like Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease (IPD). It proposes a control model for the neck based on the hypothesis of modular posture control. The model is validated using data from human experiments, which helps in identifying differences in posture control between healthy subjects and patients with different conditions.
The implications of this research extend to clinical pathology and applications in humanoid and assistive robotics. By understanding and improving head control during perturbed upright stance, it enables the development of more effective interventions and assistive technologies.
Original article: https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.09697