Title
Tactile cueing effects on performance in simulated aerial combat with high acceleration
Author
van Erp, J.B.F.
Eriksson, L.
Levin, B.
Carlander, O.
Veltman, J.A.
Vos, W.K.
TNO Defensie en Veiligheid
Publication year
2007
Abstract
Introduction: Recent evidence indicates that vibrotactile displays can potentially reduce the risk of sensory and cognitive overload. Before these displays can be introduced in super agile aircraft, it must be ascertained that vibratory stimuli can be sensed and interpreted by pilots subjected to high G loads. Methods: Each of 9 pilots intercepted 32 targets in the Swedish Dynamic Flight Simulator. Targets were indicated on simulated standard Gripen visual displays. In addition, in half of the trials target direction was also displayed on a 60-element tactile torso display. Performance measures and subjective ratings were recorded. Results: Each pilot pulled G peaks above +8 Gz. With tactile cueing present, mean reaction time was reduced from 1458 ms (SE = 54) to 1245 ms (SE = 88). Mean total chase time for targets that popped up behind the pilot's aircraft was reduced from 13 s (SE = 0.45) to 12 s (SE = 0.41). Pilots rated the tactile display favorably over the visual displays at target pop-up on the easiness of detecting a threat presence and on the clarity of initial position of the threats. Discussion: This study is the first to show that tactile display information is perceivable and useful in hypergravity (up to +9 Gz). The results show that the tactile display can capture attention at threat pop-up and improve threat awareness for threats in the back, even in the presence of high-end visual displays. It is expected that the added value of tactile displays may further increase after formal training and in situations of unexpected target pop-up.
Subject
aviation Defence
tactile perception
military
acceleration
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:96787cd3-9d7e-448b-8614-203bf6f3b680
TNO identifier
19186
Source
Aviation Space Environtal Medicine, 78 (12), 1128-1134
Document type
article