Seeing Through the Eyes of Heavy Vehicle Operators

Abstract

Interaction Designers of heavy vehicles are challenged by two opposing forces, the increasingly information-driven systems resulting in higher visual load, and a must to support a focus on the area of operation. To succeed in the interaction design and application of new technology, a good understanding of the user and the activity is needed. However, field studies are related with substantial efforts for both researcher and operator. This paper investigates and shows how quick non-intrusive studies can be held, by bridging practice from one HCI area into another, i.e. applying guerilla testing approaches used in mobile and web development into the heavy vehicles domain, an area not used to this practice. An exploratory study is performed, on a diverse set of vehicles in the field. This study describes and presents examples how both qualitative and quantitative conclusions can be extracted on the user attentiveness to digital systems and surrounding.

Evaluating Mixed Reality Notifications to Support Excavator Operator Awareness

“…While the intent of an increase in-vehicle information systems is to aid the operators performing their tasks and allow them to be more informed about the operation, one possible drawback of these additions is that the operators will spend more time focusing on displays and digital information, resulting in reduced attention to the surrounding environment and potentially leading to an increase of hazardous situations [4]. Alternatively, the operators might miss vital information that is displayed, either due to a high mental workload or that the information is presented outside of their main field of view [5]. These drawbacks could result in a lack of situational awareness [6], when the operator is missing critical elements needed for a full comprehension of what is happening and anticipation of what will happen.…”

1st workshop on user interfaces for heavy vehicles

“…For example, operating a forest harvester has been compared to the load of controlling a fighter jet [10]. Thus, increasing the information load on the operator can potentially lead to higher burden and increase the risk of accidents [3,8,16]. Another challenge can also be found in ensuring fluent collaboration between human operators and increasingly autonomous systems [2,4,6].…”

“…Moreover, the operator focus is not necessarily ahead, to attend to a well-defined traffic infrastructure. Instead, the cabin is designed for one person, with large windows to aid efficient and omnidirectional visual perception [16].…”

Exploring Interaction Design with Information Intense Heavy Vehicles

“…Interaction design can also improve information detection and intake. For example when the information is mediated within the visual attention area, thus minimizing the time required to refocus on graphical displays in the cabin and then back into the surroundings [4].…”

“…This work included a qualitative study of operator's attention areas in different vehicle types [4].…”