Evidence for an Eye-Centered Spherical Representation of the Visuomotor Map

TLDR

Visual guidance requires transforming target coordinates into movement coordinates, and evidence suggests an eye‑centered spherical representation of the visuomotor map. The study examined how local visuomotor remapping alters pointing behavior to probe the representation of visuomotor coordinate transformation. The experiment limited visual feedback of finger position to a single workspace location, creating a discrepancy between actual and perceived finger position. The remapping produced a workspace‑wide pointing shift best described by a spherical coordinate system centered near the eyes.

Abstract

Evidence for an eye-centered spherical representation of the visuomotor map. During visually guided movement, visual coordinates of target location must be transformed into coordinates appropriate for movement. To investigate the representation of this visuomotor coordinate transformation, we examined changes in pointing behavior induced by a local visuomotor remapping. The visual feedback of finger position was limited to one location within the workspace, at which a discrepancy was introduced between the actual and visually perceived finger position. This remapping induced a change in pointing that extended over the entire workspace and was best captured by a spherical coordinate system centered near the eyes.