The Effects of Camera Control and Display Configuration on Teleoperated Target Search Tasks

Abstract

Proprioceptive cues afforded by head-coupled head-mounted displays (HMDs) may enable certain search-task performance advantages over a manual joystick input with a stationary display monitor. However, targets located behind the user often involve excessive neck strain and fatigue. A study was conducted to determine the effects of various head-coupled and hand-controlled remote camera control/display configurations on teleoperation search tasks. Eight participants served as unmanned air vehicle teleoperators, acquiring targets in two separate search-task segments, 1) a forward-field area search followed by target discrimination, and 2) a rear-field area search. Four camera control/display configurations were studied: manual joystick with stationary CRT display, 1.0 gain head-coupled HMD, 1.5 gain head-coupled HMD, and combined 1.0 gain head-coupled HMD with simultaneous manual joystick input. All head-coupled control configurations were zero-order controllers involving a color, see-through monocular HMD. Performance data revealed significantly faster search times for the rate-controlled joystick with stationary display for the forward-field search task and no significant difference between control configurations for the rear-field area search. Head movement analyses revealed differences in rotational head motion between HMD conditions.

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