TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BALANCE – SIMULATING STICK BALANCING

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a simulation model for stick balancing. Experimental result served as a guide for the developing progress. The progress started with a deterministic approach. We solved the Euler-Langrange equation and received the equation of motion. The controlling variable within this equation is the acceleration of the lower end of the stick. This parameter depends on the balancing strategy and ability of the human subject. We chose the van der Pol equation as an ansatz for describing it. A second attempt included the incorporation of a time delayed parameter. The third form included additional stochastic noise. We found close similarity between the measured and the calculated parameters tilt angle at reversal points, frequency expectation value, and others.