Obstacle avoidance involves ventral stream functioning: the effect of obstacle identity on reach movements
Summary
The mechanisms involved in obstacle avoidance have been thoroughly investigated. Most recent studies have suggested that the dorsal stream is responsible for visual guidance during obstacle avoidance. The aim of this current study was to investigate the effect of object identity during obstacle avoidance by examining the effect of obstacle identity on reach movements. 19 healthy subjects were administered to reach for a target object in the presence of a glass with or without water. Results showed that the location of the glass influenced reach deviations. We also found that obstacle identity influenced maximum deviations in the early stages of reach movements. We conclude that object identity can be used for the visual guidance during avoidance of potential obstacles.