The basis of directional stimulus-response compatibility was studied using a task in which 128 participants moved a cursor into targets with a joystick, resembling the operation of certain industrial and construction equipment. Compatible and incompatible versions of three alternative compatibility principles were compared in all combinations. Visual Field (VF) compatibility was present if cursor and controlling limb movement were in the same direction in the visual field, Control Display (CD) compatibility meant that the control motion was in the same direction as, and parallel to, cursor motion, and Muscle Synergy (MS) compatibility was defined as use of the muscle synergy normally associated with the required direction as seen in the visual field. VF-compatible conditions had significantly shorter reaction, movement and homing times, and fewer reversal errors, for males and females, in two testing sites. These advantages were maintained over practice. VF compatibility was confirmed as a robust spatial compatibility principle that is affected by neither the orientation of the operator's limb or head nor the muscle synergy used in executing the task. It offers not only more rapid performance, but also a markedly reduced rate of potentially dangerous directional errors. The relationship between this finding and theoretical aspects of stimulus-response compatibility is discussed.

Touch-entry devices have exhibited a number of advantages in relatively low-resolution applications. Requirements for high-resolution input must, however, take into account the inherent biases and limitations of the operator. In this study performance biases in the use of an infrared touch-input device were examined with the input (display) surface at various declinations. A general bias to touch low and to the right of targets was found, the low bias increasing with increasing display declination. Attempts to reduce bias error through simple models based upon earlier trials were more effective when derived from individual performances rather than populational behavior (averages). Handedness effects on performance were also found. Training is discussed as a viable alternative, along with preliminary training results.

No abstract

Independent groups of eight professional pilots each were given one flight in a Link GAT-2 simulator and one flight in a Beechcraft C-45H using, respectively, the moving horizon, moving airplane, and frequency-separated attitude displays. The flight tasks performed by the subjects included recovery from unknown attitudes, disturbed attitude tracking, and completion of an area navigation course. Data collected in the C-45H aircraft demonstrated superior performance of both the frequency-separated and moving horizon displays when compared to the moving airplane display during unknown attitude recoveries. The frequency-separated display was superior to all others during disturbed attitude tracking. It was concluded that the flight performance of experienced pilots during their initial transition to a frequency-separated flight attitude presentation is at least comparable, and for some tasks superior, to their flight performance with the conventional moving horizon presentation.

No abstract