Invited Session V: Binocular vision and interactions: Binocular vision and the control of foot placement during walking in natural terrain.

Abstract

Coordination between visual and motor processes during walking is critical for the selection of stable footholds when walking in rough terrains. In our work we collect eye movements and body motion while people walk over complex natural terrains. We found that gaze strategy was highly sensitive to the complexity of the terrain, with more fixations dedicated to foothold selection as the terrain became more difficult. Disrupting the binocular vision led to a tendency to focus on closer footholds, suggesting that this loss of information places more pressure on the visuomotor control process. Furthermore we find a relationship between a person's stereoacuity and their gaze strategy. These findings help us understand how vision loss can impact everyday tasks like walking.