Viewpoint Tethering in Complex Terrain Navigation and Awareness

Abstract

Twelve participants navigated a simulated vehicle across complex virtual terrain using five different display viewpoints: egocentric, dynamic tether, rigid tether, three-dimensional (3D) exocentric, and twodimensional (2D) exocentric. While navigating, participants had to avoid being seen by simulated enemy units. After the navigation task, participants' spatial awareness was assessed using a recognition task. The egocentric display was more effective than exocentric displays (2D or 3D) for navigation, and the exocentric displays were more effective than egocentric for time seen during navigation and the recognition task. The tethered displays generally produced intermediate results, but minimized the time during which the participant's avatar was visible to enemy positions. In summary, it would appear that the tether facilitated spatial awareness involving knowledge of locations of interest with respect to one's own position while navigating.