Latency is an important factor when conducting teleoperated missions. This study investigates the effects of latency on a set of dependent variables: performance (measured by time and number of errors), subjective workload, trust, and usability. These measures were tested in a simulated search-and-rescue mission over two levels of two independent variables. One independent variable was the number of robots – one or two (within-subject), and the other independent variable was latency – simulations with and without latency (between-subject.) The significant effect of the independent variables on the dependent variables were checked using repeated measure two-way ANOVA with a confidence level of 95%. The data determined any significant effects that latency and/or the number of robots had on such factors as errors, dependability, reliability, harmful outcomes, temporal demand, and frustration.
Insurance loss prevention survey, specifically windstorm risk inspection survey is the process of investigating potential damages associated with a building or structure in the event of an extreme weather condition such as a hurricane or tornado. This process is performed by a trained windstorm risk engineer who physically goes to a facility to assess the wind vulnerabilities associated with it. This process is highly subjective, and the accuracy of findings depends on the experience and skillsets of the engineer. Although using sensors and automation enabled systems help engineers gather data, their ability to make sense of this information is vital. Further, their Situation Awareness (SA) can be affected by the use of such systems. Using a between-subjects experimental design, this study explored the use of various context-based visualization strategies to support the SA requirements and performance of windstorm risk engineers. The independent variable included in this study is the type of context-based visualizations used (with 3 levels: no visual aids, checklist based and predictive display based visual aids). We measured SA using SAGAT and performance using a questionnaire. SA and performance were found to be higher for the predictive display and checklist based conditions. The findings from this study will inform the design of context-based decision aids to support the SA of risk engineers.
Past research emphasizes the potential of using Virtual Reality (VR) in education because of its ability to provide the user with a sense of immersion that promotes learning and growth. However, navigation in this environment has been found to be challenging. To address this issue, this pilot study developed a virtual reality based application to reinforce the knowledge of safety protocols in a manufacturing setting. This environment included a simulated assembly line, and participants were asked to identify and tag hazards including virtual workers committing safety violations. This research then investigated the effectiveness of four navigational aids using a between-subjects experimental design. Twenty participants underwent videobased training focused on potential safety violations in a manufacturing environment. They were subsequently exposed to the virtual environment and provided with training in identifying and classifying violations. The participants were then asked to identify safety hazards that were placed throughout the virtual manufacturing facility. The dependent variables included the time spent in the virtual environment, the number of violations identified, eye gaze measures, the NASA-TLX workload, and computer systems usability measures. Statistically significant differences were found for the dependent measures of number of violations identified, workload and usability. The results suggest that both maps and arrows embedded on the floor have the potential to enhance usability with reduced workload.
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