Operator perceptual cognitive styles as predictors of remote task performance were identified. Remote tasks which require the use of servo controlled master/slave manipulators and closed circuit television for teleoperator repair and maintenance of nuclear fuel recycling systems are examined. A useful procedure for identifying such perceptual styles is described

Clarke, M. M.

Garin, J.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

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I 82-13679
IDENTIFICATION OF COGNITIVE FACTORS RELATED TO REMOTE WORK PERFORMANCE
USING CLOSED CIRCUIT TV DISPLAYS*
" M.M. Cllrke
Oak Ridge Associatea Universities
Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830
J Garin
Fuel Recycle Division
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830
SUMMARY
This paper describes research at the Oak Rio'goNational Laboratory
which identifies operator perceptual-cognitlve s_yles as predictors of
remote task performance. Of particular interest are those remote tasks
which require the use of servo-controlled master-slave manipulators and
closed circuit television for teleoperator repair and maintenance of
nuclear fuel recycling systems. At the present time data analysis is
incomplete; therefore, this paper suggests a useful procedure for identi-
fying such perceptual styles, rather than giving definitive results.
INTRODdCTION
The particular aspects of man/machine interface for the ORNL fuel
recycle program hage been described previously (i). This facility will
employ renote viewing and manipulator control systems. In general, how-
ever, manipulator control using closed circuit television, involving the
remote movement of mass with limited visual Infozmation, is analogous to
other remote movement tasks such as vehicle piloting. In both situations
the operator or pilot moves mass at a distance under some cons£raint in
regards to available visual information. Therefore, i_ seemed reasonable
to assume that previous research concerning perceptual-cognltlve abilities
as related to piloting/navlgation tasks would be applicable to the present
problem, partlcularly since there is a dearth of literature concerning per-
ceptual cognitive abilities relating to manipulator control skills, Gener-
ally, p_ople who can function perceptually in the presence of misleading,
distracting, or conflicting information have been found to be superior at
various remote control tasks: navy pilots (2), nonpilot navigators and
intercept operators (3), and automobile drivers (4,5).
*Research sponsored by the Office of Nuclear Fuel Cycle, U.S. Department
of Energy, under contract No. W-7405-ENG-26 with Union Carbide Corpora-
tion.
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https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19820005806 2020-03-21T15:55:25+00:00Z
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
To evaluate the relationship between perceptual-cognitive functioning
and remote handling ability, a group of inexperienced subjects were adminls-
tared a battery of perceptual-cognitlve tests to measure perceptual func-
, tioning in the presence of conflicting or distracting perceptual inputs.
Subjects were then briefed and received preliminary training in the use of
manipulators for remote handling tasks using closed circuit television
displays as the primary mode of information feedback. It was hypothesized
that subjects' perceptual test scores would predict training results re-
garding level of performance and speed of learning.
Subjects
Forty-seven employees (26 male and 21 female) of Oak F.,dgeNational
Laboratory or Oak Ridge Associated Universities volunteered as subjects.
No subject had prior manipulator experience. All subjects received an
in-depth vision screening for acuity and phorias (near and far) and depth
and color perception. Subjects were asked to fill out a biographical
questionnaire which contained many items with possible relevance to re-
mote task performance. Items covered age, sex, preferred hand (right or
left), occupation, education, sports activities, and television viewing
habits. A question was also included concerning motion sickness history
since previous literature (3) has indicated that such sickness may result
from the way subjects react to conflicting perceptual inputs and may be
predictive of remote control training results.
Groups Perceptual-Cognitive Tests
All subjects were administered three group perceptual tests prior to
exposure to remote tasks:
i. Hidden Figures Test, which measures flexibility of closure and
which is related to the "field independence" cognitive style (6).
2. Paper Folding Test, which measures the ability to mentally re-
structure a visualized figure into components, and involves
the serial mental rotation of a spatial configuration in short-
term memory (6).,
: 3. Manikin Test, an experimental group perceptual test refined at
Oak Ridge Associated Universities, which demands that subjects '
i make rapid decisions about the spatial orientation of visual
stimuli.
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° ____ f
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Remote Test Station Layout
Subjects performed the experimental remote tasks with master-slave
M-8 manipulators. A 25-in. TV monitor was placed between the master arms
at eye level on a solid partition simulating a division between the task
" (cell) area and the operating area. The operating area was diffusely
lighted and surrounded by canvas curtains. A chair was placed at a dis-
tance of four times the monitor height from the monitor. To keep viewing
distance constant, the subjects were asked to remain seated while they
used the manipulators. The layout was measured in S.I. units.
The slave side of the partition was also surrounded by canvas cur-
tains and was brightly lighted at approximately 343 candelas/meter
(i00 foot-lamberts). Intermittent measures on illumination were taken
throughout the testing. The board on which the individual tasks were
performed was painted gray-blue.
Television cameras were installed in positions 45° above horizontal
in the saglttal plane and at an offset position at 30° elevation and 45 °
to the /.eft side of the saglttal plane.
Test Procedures for Remote Tasks
Subjects were given a demonstration in the use of a manipulator and
then allowed to practice freely for 30 mln. placing twelve, 2.5-cm wooden
cubes in a 30-cm high steel pot. They were then asked to perform fairly
simple remote tasks, three trials for each.
Task i. Build a 3-2-1 pyramid with the cubes.
Task 2. Take out and replace 7.5-cm high wooden geometrical
shapes from a form board_
Task 3. Unscrew, place on table, pick up, and rescrew a
2.5-cm bolt from a steel plate.
All tasks were performed with the camera at the offset position.
Subjects were then asked to repeat the bolt test with the camera at 45 °
above horizontal, which unpublished work by the first author has shown to
be a disorienting view.
Subjects returned individually, approximately four weeks later, and
repeated the total remote task sequence.
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1982005792-154
ANALYSIS AND RESULTS [
p
The predictive validity of the group perceptual tests, and of the blo-
graphlcal Items is being assessed in terms of the results of remote task
performance. Preliminary regression analysis indicates that the Hidden |
Figures Test is a useful predictor, accounting for a significant proportion |
of the variance in measures of remote training outcome. The relationship !
between this test and trainin G outcomes remains when any confounding effect
of sex is removed from the data. (This procedure is necessary because women
often perform more poorly on such tests.) Results, therefore, suggest the
usefulness of group perceptual cognitive tests such as Hidden Figures, in
future remote operator selection and training programs.
REFERENCES
i. Garln, John, and Clarke, Margaret M.; "Man/Machlne Interface
Development for the Remotex Concept," Prec. 17th Annu. Conf.
on Manual Control, Los Angeles, June 1981.
2. Long, G.M. ; "Rod and Frame Test Performance Among Naval Aviation
Personnel," Percept. Mot. Skills, 41: 950, (1975).
3. Kennedy, Robert S.; "Motion Sickness Questionnaire and Field
Independence Scores as Predictors of Success in Naval Aviation
Training," Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine, 1975,
1349-52.
4. Barrett, G.V. and Thornton, C.C.; "Relation Between Perceptual
Style and Driver Reaction to an Emergency Situation," J.
Appl. Psychol., 52: 169-76, (1968).
5. Harano, R.M. ; "Relatlonshlp of field dependence and motor vehlcle
accident involvement," P&rcept. Mot. Skills, 31: 272-74, (1970).
6. Ekstrom, R.B., French, John W., and H-__-_on, H.H.; Manual for Kit
of Factor References Co_nltlve Tes.ts, E4...._tlonal Testing Ser-
vice, Princeton, New Jersey, 1976.
s.
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Identification of cognitive factors related to remote work performance using closed circuit TV displays

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