Abstract:
Undersea technology is on the verge of equipping remotely operated vehicle (ROV) pilots
with a three-dimensional (3-D), real-time display incorporating data from a wide variety of
sensors including sonar (sound navigation and ranging), cameras, and lasers. Effective
collection, computation, and presentation of this data to the pilot in a single display presents
hardware, software and human factors problems. This thesis focuses on human factors
issues associated with the display of information which could enhance the pilot's efficiency
of performance. Background information on human factors engineering, 3-D computer
graphics displays, and application of the 3-D perspective display precede the details of the
experiment.
Five specific display enhancements tested include altering the displayed field of view,
providing a screen grid, displaying the current range to the target of interest, using a
vertical color scheme, and controlling the display update rate. Seven tests measure the
effects of these display enhancements on the simulated piloting of an ROV. The effects of
the ROV simulation and operator learning curves are removed to compare performance
changes due to the various enhancements directly. Operator comments during and after
testing as well as test monitor/author observations provide insight into the experiment Test
result implications for system design trade-offs are discussed in detail. Recommendations
for future research and the proposed construction of a fully equipped ROV simulator
complete the work.
