A tactile option to reduce robot controller size

Abstract

In response to operational requirements for smaller robotic controller devices for use by dismounted US Army soldiers, three types of robot controller navigation map display configurations were evaluated for effects on beyond line-of-sight robotic navigation tasks. We predicted better performance with the larger split screen display that presents both a map display and a camera-based driving display on a 6.5 inch screen. Two smaller alternatives were also evaluated. One alternative was a 3.5 inch display that allowed the operator to toggle back and forth between the driving display and the map display. The third option added a torso-mounted tactile display to the toggle-based display in order to provide direction information simultaneously with the camera display and thus reduce the need to toggle as frequently to the map display. Each display option was evaluated based on objective performance data, expert-based observations, and scaled subjective soldier questionnaire items. Findings indicated that operators’ navigation performance with the multimodal 3.5 inch toggle display was as effective as their performance with a 6.5 inch split screen display. Operator performance was significantly lower with the 3.5 inch toggle display that did not have the tactile display.