The Use of a Distal-to-Tactile Sensory Substitution Interface Does Not Lead to Extension of Body Image

Marek McGann^*, Tom Froese^†,‡, William Bigge^‡, Adam Spiers^{^} and Anil K. Seth^‡

^(*) Mary Immaculate College   University of Limerick, Ireland
^(†) University of Tokyo, Japan
^(‡) Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science, University of Sussex, UK
^{(^)} ristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, UK
E-mail: marek.mcgann@mic.ul.ie, t.froese@gmail.com

Abstract

A range of studies in the past decade and a half indicate significant impacts of tool use on body image. In cases of intentional action, contractions of near space or experienced extensions of limbs have been shown when using tools such as rakes. It remains unclear whether the changes in body image are effected by the tool enabling perception at a distance or action/manipulation of the environment at a distance. We studied this issue using a new research tool, the Enactive Torch, a sensory substitution device specifically designed for research into perception and bodily action. The Enactive Torch allows perception at a distance without the capacity for distal action. We report a first experiment indicating that its use on a navigation task has no effect on body image.