Visual Search Training Techniques in a UAV Simulator Environment: Pilots' Performance, Workload, and Stress

Target search is a common objective in military operations involving UAVs. The development of visual search training techniques could improve target search efficiency and reduce mission cost. In this study, target, cue and visual scanning training techniques were evaluated using the FlightGear UAV flight simulator. Participants were assigned at random to one of four training conditions including a control training condition. In a target training condition, participants learned how to discriminate a target military fuel truck from other types of trucks. In the cue condition, participants learned how to discriminate a cue (i.e., military hangar) from other types of non-cue hangars. In the visual scanning condition, participants were asked to search for the cue located in different parts of the screen. In the control condition, participants learned how to discriminate a military antenna from other types of antennae. The participants also received UAV navigation and, where applicable, secondary task trainings. The skills achieved in the training were tested during a 30-minute UAV flight. The participants were asked to fly the plane along the route, detect and take pictures of the targets. One half of participants, in addition to the primary task, were asked to perform a secondary task, which simulated a military radio frequency switching task. It was predicted that target, cue, and visual scanning conditions would result in superior target detection performance in terms of multiple performance metrics, when compared to the control condition. The secondary task was expected to impact performance negatively in all conditions. Also, participants in the target, cue and visual scan training conditions were expected to experience lower subjective workload and stress measured by NASA-TLX and DSSQ questionnaires respectively. The results showed that overall target and cue training conditions produced superior target search performances when compared to the control condition. The visual scan training was moderately effective. Only target training condition performance was vulnerable to the secondary task load. The secondary task resulted in increased subjective engagement, however, but also elevated mental and physical workloads showing the complex interactions between task conditions and operators' subjective experiences. In summary, it appears that training knowledge about what the target looks like, knowledge about a cue, and active scanning of the searched visual field are all promising for promoting effective target search in realistic UAV flight environments. Future directions of the research might involve further improvements of the training techniques in terms of observers' bias and sensitivity, eye movement measurement, and realism of training

Training Techniques For Visual Search In Complex Task Environments

Objective: The goal for this study was to evaluate several visual search training techniques in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) simulated task environment. Background: Operators controlling remote unmanned vehicles often must perform complex visual search tasks (e.g., target search). These tasks may pose substantial demands on the operator due to various environmental factors. Visual search training may reduce errors and mitigate stress, but the most effective form of training has not been determined. Methods: Participants were assigned to one of four training conditions: target, cue, visual scanning, or control. After the training, the effectiveness of the training techniques was tested during a 30-minute simulated UAV flight. A secondary task manipulation was included to further simulate the demands of a realistic UAV control and target search task. Subjective stress and fatigue were also assessed. Results: Target training produced superior target search performances in more hits and fewer false alarms (FAs) when compared to the control condition. The visual scanning and cue trainings were moderately effective. Only target training performance was vulnerable to the secondary task load. The task was stressful, but training did not mitigate stress response. Conclusion: Training participants on the target and the cue appearance as well as active scanning of the visual field is promising for promoting effective target search for this simulated UAV environment. Application: These training techniques could be used in preparation for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions that involve target search, especially where target appearance change is likely

The Functional Fidelity Of Individual Differences Research: The Case For Context-Matching

Applying basic research on individual differences in performance requires a kind of \u27functional fidelity\u27. That is, the laboratory environment must elicit individual differences in cognition and emotion similar to those seen in the operational setting. Studies of conventional personality traits and performance often lack this functional fidelity. Four research directions for enhancing functional fidelity are proposed. First, a greater focus on simulated operational tasks that require cognitive skills is requisite. Second, contexts relevant to specific personality traits, such as social demands, may be simulated in the laboratory. Third, traits linked to a specific performance context, such as vehicle driving, may be developed and validated. Fourth, psychophysiological responses to tasks that reproduce operational cognitive demands may be used as predictors, as exemplified in recent studies of vigilance. Enhancements to functional fidelity will assist human factors practitioners in accommodating the role of individual differences in operator selection, diagnostic monitoring and augmented cognition. © 2011 Taylor & Francis

Functional Fidelity, Context-Matching, And Individual Differences In Performance

Conventional personality questionnaires are often only weak predictors of operational performance. A major problem is that personality effects are moderated by contextual factors which may be mismatched across laboratory and real-world studies. Context mismatch threatens the \u27functional fidelity\u27 of laboratory performance tasks; the extent to which the individual behaves as they would in the operational environment. Three research strategies for enhancing the functional fidelity of laboratory studies of individual differences are proposed. First, contexts relevant to specific personality traits may be developed in the laboratory. For example, socially threatening environments may be necessary to find meaningful effects of neuroticism. Second, traits linked to a specific performance context may be employed. The validity of traits for driver stress vulnerability supports this approach. Third, psychophysiological responses to simulations of the cognitive demands of the work environment may be used. Our recent work shows that stress and hemodynamic responses to short high-workload tasks predict longer-duration sustained performance. Copyright 2010 by Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Inc. All rights reserved