The contribution of force feedback to human performance in the teleoperation of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles

Abstract

The availability of additional force cues in haptic devices are often expected to improve control performance, over conditions that only provide visual feedback. However, there is little empirical evidence to show this to be true for the teleoperation control of remote vehicles [i.e., multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)]. In this paper, the contribution of haptic force feedback cues to the teleoperation of multiple UAVs was evaluated. These cues were based on either the UAVs’ velocity or directed forces from sensed obstacles. Both induced improved teleoperator perception of the remote environment. However, velocity-based cues resulted in more effortful maneuvering.