Spatial navigation using path integration and piloting
Previous work in our lab has already shown that Bayesian cue combination occurs in self-localization, prior to homing, rather than during homing (Zhang, Mou, Lei & Du, 2019). Then, further than that, we are interested in giving more evidence that the self-localization hypothesis works for goal-directed navigation, demonstrating people combining cues to estimate their self-localization and then calculate the vectors of goals (including the homing vector). For further information on this study, please contact Yafei Qi at yyqi@ualberta.ca.
Spatial navigation in multiscale spaces
People are living in multiscale spaces (e.g., in a room or in a city) (Lei, Mou, & Zhang, 2019). However, no studies have shown clear evidence that people can update their positions and orientations relative to a global space beyond the immediate local space. We are investigating to what extent people can update relative to a space beyond the immediate local space .
Spatial navigation in 3d spaces
Animal neurophysiology demonstrates that rats and bats can extend their 3D headings from the floor to the other surfaces when they are pitching in the 3D space by climbing on vertical surfaces (walls) or inverted surfaces (ceilings). In the ongoing research, we are investigating the extent to which human participants can update their 3D headings.