Robotic device for studies of human movement perception and control

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This proposal requests funds to purchase a Bimanual KINARM Endpoint Robot device, a state-of-the-art virtual reality system used for studies of human motor learning and control. The device will support the research programs of Randy Flanagan (Psychology), Jason Gallivan (Psychology, Biomedical & Molecular Sciences), Gunnar Blohm (Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, Psychology, Mathematics & Statistics, School of Computing), Jordan Poppenk (Psychology), and Niko Troje (Psychology). The requested KINARM will replace an existing device belonging to Dr. Steven Scott, which is currently in a shared research space (in Abramsky Hall at Queen's) but will be moved, next month, to Hotel Dieu Hospital where it will be used, exclusively, for patient testing and evaluation. The KINARM device is currently being used by multiple trainees (including graduate students and postdoctoral fellows) in the Flanagan, Gallivan, and Blohm labs and continued access to a KINARM is critical to the success of these ongoing research projects, which form key components of these investigators’ long term research objectives. The KINARM is also critical for the success of new research initiatives being planned by Poppenk and Troje. Therefore, failure to replace this unique device in a timely fashion will seriously jeopardise a number of ongoing, and successful, research programs and prevent the launching of several exciting new research programs.