Chapter 2. Prehension

342 CONSTRAINTS AND PHASES
9.3 Future Directions
Returning to the triangle strategy introduced in Chapter 1 (see
Figure 9.3, a full circle is made to show the methods with which
computational and experimental modelling can help understand the
brain and the hand. For example, computational models have
provided methods through which it is possible to compute ill-posed
problems such as the inverse kinematics and inverse dynamics
problems for end point trajectory formation. These models made
explicit issues such as the coordinate frame for the movements, use of
constraints, control parameters, speed of the computation, and use of
sensory information. Experimentalists should be looking for
information processing within specified coordinate frames, as was
seen in Georgopoulos et al. (1988) and Soechting and Flanders
(1991). While it is evident from the anatomy why a palm-focused
model is reasonable for prehension, more experimental evidence is
needed.
Suggest
Conceptual
Models
Validate
I
Introduce increasing
complexity to build
more comprehensive Suggest
conceptual models
Experimental
Special Manipulations Direct
Existence Proof Strong Inference
Figure 9.3 The triangle strategy involving conceptual models,
experimental models and computational models.