Creating new methods to study structure vision. The majority of the structure within natural images is due to third to fifth order correlations between image points. Research has shown that sensitivity to this higher order structure, provides so called Structure Vision. Research has also shown that as few as three to four brain mechanisms are involved, and these may be related to the Minkowski functionals, which in turn are related to the structural and surface properties of real materials. This ....Creating new methods to study structure vision. The majority of the structure within natural images is due to third to fifth order correlations between image points. Research has shown that sensitivity to this higher order structure, provides so called Structure Vision. Research has also shown that as few as three to four brain mechanisms are involved, and these may be related to the Minkowski functionals, which in turn are related to the structural and surface properties of real materials. This project aims to build on recent discoveries of new stimuli to implement objective tests with which to study structure vision with the Partner Organisation. The project aims to also expand on realistic models of how Structure Vision may be computed by just a few coupled cortical pyramidal cells.Read moreRead less
How human vision separately determines object and scene motion. This project aims to enhance understanding of how people process visual scenes containing multiple moving objects of interest. The project intends to measure human visual performance to determine how the brain processes multiple motion signals simultaneously. Expected outcomes include an increased understanding of how we are able to use an evolving visual scene to distinguish between changes due to self-motion and those due to the m ....How human vision separately determines object and scene motion. This project aims to enhance understanding of how people process visual scenes containing multiple moving objects of interest. The project intends to measure human visual performance to determine how the brain processes multiple motion signals simultaneously. Expected outcomes include an increased understanding of how we are able to use an evolving visual scene to distinguish between changes due to self-motion and those due to the motion of multiple moving objects such as crowded city footpaths and busy roads. The results will improve our understanding of failures to see moving objects in challenging viewing conditions (for example, high density traffic), and inform work in the design of autonomous driving and augmented reality display systems.Read moreRead less
Peripheral and central mechanisms of sensory coding and integration. The research described in this proposal seeks to provide generic answers to fundamental questions about sensory processes, the nature of perceptual experience, and how these are subserved by the nervous system. The study of inter-sensory interactions in perception has the potential to be incorporated into the development of virtual reality-type computer-based technologies. The neurophysiology research will provide basic informa ....Peripheral and central mechanisms of sensory coding and integration. The research described in this proposal seeks to provide generic answers to fundamental questions about sensory processes, the nature of perceptual experience, and how these are subserved by the nervous system. The study of inter-sensory interactions in perception has the potential to be incorporated into the development of virtual reality-type computer-based technologies. The neurophysiology research will provide basic information that has the potential to deepen our understanding, and even enhance possible treatment, of neurological conditions that involve sensory systems.Read moreRead less
Honeybee Navigation: Low-level and Cognitive Mechanisms. Anyone watching a honeybee find its way back home effortlessly after flying several kilometres in search of nectar would know that these insects are excellent navigators, despite their diminutive brains and relatively simple nervous systems. The aim of this proposal is to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms by which bees navigate repeatedly to an attractive food source, and recruit their nestmates to visit it. The findings should ....Honeybee Navigation: Low-level and Cognitive Mechanisms. Anyone watching a honeybee find its way back home effortlessly after flying several kilometres in search of nectar would know that these insects are excellent navigators, despite their diminutive brains and relatively simple nervous systems. The aim of this proposal is to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms by which bees navigate repeatedly to an attractive food source, and recruit their nestmates to visit it. The findings should illuminate important principles of animal navigation, as well as suggest novel strategies for robot navigation.Read moreRead less
How do bees orchestrate smooth landings? The results should pave the way for the development of novel, biologically inspired strategies for the control of landing in unmanned aerial vehicles. Endowing aircraft with the capability of autonomous flight and landing has been a major challenge in engineering technology. There is now considerable interest, nationally and world wide, in the development of small, intelligent, autonomous airborne vehicles for application in a number of areas of defense, ....How do bees orchestrate smooth landings? The results should pave the way for the development of novel, biologically inspired strategies for the control of landing in unmanned aerial vehicles. Endowing aircraft with the capability of autonomous flight and landing has been a major challenge in engineering technology. There is now considerable interest, nationally and world wide, in the development of small, intelligent, autonomous airborne vehicles for application in a number of areas of defense, surveillance and space exploration. The proposed research will help Australia maintain a leading edge in uncovering important biological principles of flight control that can be translated into useful technological applications.Read moreRead less
To flee or not to flee: surviving on incomplete information. Even lowly animals, like the Australian fiddler crabs we will be investigating, are surprisingly competent in making the right decisions in complex situations. They actively acquire information and make good use of it to assure their immediate safety and their long term gains. Animals are exquisitely honed by evolution and we would benefit greatly by understanding what makes them so competent: on a theoretical level, we may learn about ....To flee or not to flee: surviving on incomplete information. Even lowly animals, like the Australian fiddler crabs we will be investigating, are surprisingly competent in making the right decisions in complex situations. They actively acquire information and make good use of it to assure their immediate safety and their long term gains. Animals are exquisitely honed by evolution and we would benefit greatly by understanding what makes them so competent: on a theoretical level, we may learn about efficient rules of good decision making and on a practical level, we may be able to design more flexible, robust and clever machines. Besides being useful in this wider context, the results of our research will thus also contribute to a new and 'sophisticated' appreciation of the cognitive design of animal.Read moreRead less
Honeybee Vision and navigation, and applications to robotics. Anyone observing a honeybee find its way home effortlessly after collecting nectar would know that these insects are excellent navigators, despite their diminutive brains and relatively simple nervous systems. One aim of this proposal is to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underling honeybee navigation. Another aim is to apply some of these findings to the development of novel, biologically inspired naviagtion systems for ....Honeybee Vision and navigation, and applications to robotics. Anyone observing a honeybee find its way home effortlessly after collecting nectar would know that these insects are excellent navigators, despite their diminutive brains and relatively simple nervous systems. One aim of this proposal is to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underling honeybee navigation. Another aim is to apply some of these findings to the development of novel, biologically inspired naviagtion systems for aircraft. The findings should illuminate important principles of animal navigation. They should also advance Australia's technology in the area of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which will have important applications in national defence and security.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100508
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$462,948.00
Summary
How predictions affect visual processing across the cortical hierarchy . Unlike traditional theories of visual perception, recent evidence suggests what a person expects can fundamentally change how they see the world. However, the neuronal mechanisms which would allow expectation to affect perception are poorly understood. This project will use revolutionary recording techniques to determine how multiple brain regions interact to use predictions about the future to change visual processing. The ....How predictions affect visual processing across the cortical hierarchy . Unlike traditional theories of visual perception, recent evidence suggests what a person expects can fundamentally change how they see the world. However, the neuronal mechanisms which would allow expectation to affect perception are poorly understood. This project will use revolutionary recording techniques to determine how multiple brain regions interact to use predictions about the future to change visual processing. The expected outcome is understanding a fundamental theory of brain function for the first time at the level of single neurons. This project will contribute to a new understanding of central theories of how the brain allows us to see which will significantly enhance basic vision science.Read moreRead less