Exponentially Segmented Positioning of a Single Link Mechanism: A Control Algorithm that Satisfies Fitts´ Law

Duration of accuracy-constrained human movement is described by a logarithmic function known as Fitts´ law, which characterizes a tradeoff between speed and accuracy in point-to-point motion. A control method is presented that produces a response conforming to Fitts´ equation. The described control divides desired movement into regions of exponentially decreasing size, and is therefore known as exponential segmentation. By restricting overshoot, this approach produces a series of exponentially smaller submovements of nearly equal duration. This causes the response to agree with Fitts´ law, while displaying multiresolutional characteristics. Thus, the proposed algorithm is a potential candidate for describing human psychomotor control of point-to-point movement.