Prerequisites:  P101, P211 or permission of the instructor
Surprisingly, perception/action is a relatively new area of research,
But one that is rapidly growing.  There are no texts and courses are just
beginning to emerge.  In this course, readings will consist of original
research papers, reviews and tutorial chapters written by the experts.
The approach will be as Rhands onS as possible.  Class sessions will
consist of demonstrations, discussions and lectures.  Grading will be
based on class participation and on essay exams including a final. In
the course, we cover research on perceptually guided actions like walking
and running, throwing and catching.  We study how a person can walk down a
crowded hallway without bumping into other people, that is, how a
moving observer generates optic flow that is used to identify and avoid
obstacles.  We record optical flow with a video camera and analyze the
patterns that result.  How do you catch a fly ball?  When the optic
flow is analyzed, it is not what you might think.  We will see how actions
are geared to the flow of optical information both in robots and in
people. How do we move to the places to which perception guides us? How do
we coordinate and control our limbs to carry us around or to catch and to
throw a ball?  We will examine theories of coordination and control and
review the neurophysiological organization underlying perception and
the neuro- and muscular physiology of movement.  Philosophical differences
among approaches to perception and action will be discussed.