No abstract

The intent of this evaluation is to describe the unique benefits that may be provided to human robot interaction (HRI) researchers by the capabilities of commercially available binocular head-mounted displays (HMDs) and associated handheld controllers. Three popular HMDs (Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Google Daydream) were compared across eight factors: cost, head tracking fidelity, visual resolution, user mobility, hand tracking fidelity, number of input modes, adaptability of input, and provided tracking space. Each of these elements was considered in the context of their relevance to the field of HRI, and potential importance for conducting research in immersive virtual reality (IVR). A Pugh chart was developed to succinctly compare the pros and cons of each headset alongside a description of IVR tasks for HRI military research as well as examples taken from work currently being conducted in our lab.

Research has shown that the perceived sex (female versus male features) of a presented threat can influence participants’ responses. This exploratory analysis examined data from an experiment which utilized a virtual reality signal detection task. Six categorically different character models (three males and three females) transported one of five potential objects (one signal: pistol; five noise: gardening tools) across a virtual environment. The focus of our analysis was to explore the influence of participant sex and character gender on participants' perceptual sensitivity ( d’) and response criterion ( C). Results suggest that character gender had significant effects on d’ and C such that male character models resulted in greater perceptual sensitivity and a more liberal response criterion. Our findings align with previous research that characterize females as less likely to be targeted as a threat, possibly due to stereotypes or predisposed social biases, as opposed to males.

Our goal was to investigate the impact of dual-tasking on perceived workload, and to study the sensitivity of existing workload measures to components of primary and secondary tasks. Past research has investigated the impact of dual-tasking but has rarely compared the NASA-TLX and the Multiple Resources Questionnaire (MRQ). We made comparisons between workload measures completed after execution of a single-task trial (signal detection task) as compared to a dual-task trial (signal detection accompanied by a secondary auditory task). Special attention was given to comparing the results from the NASA-TLX and the MRQ, along with investigating the sensitivity of the MRQ to specific task components. Facets of the MRQ were analyzed to explore their sensitivity to specific task loading. Results indicate that while both measures reliably registered a change in workload, the MRQ was more sensitive to the source of the change and presented a more holistic picture of cognitive demands.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the design and validation of a dynamic signal detection-based task experienced within immersive virtual reality (IVR). The task will be used as a primary task for investigating the workload introduced by interface devices used for human-robot team communications. Participants play the role of a Soldier performing a Cordon and Search operation monitoring an environment for threats. The task differs from traditional signal detection tasks in that it is continuous, dynamic, and signal stimuli move through participants’ field of view. Implementation of the task within simulation allows for direct control, measurement, and manipulation of multiple parameters that influence performance metrics, task difficulty, and participant workload. Lessons learned during the design and development of the task are shared to guide other researchers intending to implement a signal detection-based task within IVR.