Optimal Local Estimates of Visual Motion in a Natural Environment

Many organisms use visual signals to estimate motion, and these estimates typically are biased. Here, we ask whether biases may reflect physical rather than biological limitations. Using a camera-gyroscope system, sample the joint distribution of images rotational motions in natural environment, from this construct optimal estimator velocity based on local image intensities. Over most dynamic range, exhibits observed neural behavioral responses. Thus, imputed errors sensory processing represent an response sampled environment.