The images presented in low-cost vehicle simulators and in operator interfaces of Remotely Piloted Vehicles (RPVs) often do not provide enough information for optimal vehicle control and do not elicit sufficient spatial orientation. To improve the effectiveness of these images, the virtual viewing direction can be `head-slaved', or the display can be surrounded with a less detailed peripheral image. Three simulator experiments were used to evaluate the effect of these techniques on steering performance and spatial orientation. In experiment 1, vehicle references or a `head-slaved' display (a head-up display type) provided feedback on the virtual viewing direction. Experiments 2 and 3 addressed the effects of surrounding the 'head-slaved' display with a less detailed peripheral image, and of moving the `head-slaved' display discretely or continuously. The results show that low-cost simulators and RPV operator interfaces can be equipped with an efficient low-cost display that is just as effective as a normal multi-channel display.
Abstract