Theory 17/Prosthetics & Rehabilitation Engineering
Embodiment Follows Feedback Bandwidth
The claim
Prosthetic embodiment is set by the ratio of sensory feedback bandwidth to motor command latency, so a device with fast feedback and slow control feels less like a limb than one with both matched.
01The mechanism
The body schema incorporates a tool when the sensory consequences of action match the predicted ones. That requires feedback to arrive within the window the motor system expects.
The ratio sets how often the prediction is confirmed, and embodiment follows the confirmation rate.
02What this is not
Realism-based embodiment models
Those attribute embodiment to appearance. This attributes it to timing, which explains variability across devices.
03Predictions
- P1Embodiment should track the ratio.
- P2Improving latency should raise embodiment at constant realism.
04Refutation
Embodiment tracking realism would favour the appearance model.