Abstract

Here an experiment studying the influence of path complexity on visual path integration is presented. Using a back-projection VR setup, subjects were passively transported along paths and were then asked to point to the origin of the path as fast and as accurate as possible. The complexity of the outbound paths was systematically varied by changing the number of path segments, while keeping constant overall length, overall turning angle, and turning direction. Surprisingly, results showed a decrease in response time as well as a slight increase in pointing accuracy with increasing path complexity, contradicting the predictions from common path integration models. The overall result from the present study is that path complexity does not negatively influence path integration abilities. If anything, subjects were faster and more accurate on more complex paths.