The impact of user-input devices on virtual desktop trainers

Abstract

Virtual desktop trainers have become ubiquitous in the U.S. military and have the capability of altering their user interface. The military will gladly pay for additional peripheral devices but only if they can demonstrate improved training effectiveness. This research project seeks to establish an input device configuration solution for virtual desktop trainers. Specifically, we compared the standard laptop keyboard and mouse to a configuration incorporating a game controller. Additionally, we investigated the value of incorporating a head-tracking device. These peripheral devices could minimize the time required to gain sufficient gaming proficiency, resulting in more time dedicated to training military skills. We employed a within subjects experimental design to evaluate young active duty Soldier's ability to move and shoot in a virtual environment using different input devices. We found that the keyboard and mouse was superior to the game controller configuration in overall performance. The one exception was during the driving event. The head tracker was found to be detrimental to overall performance. Our recommended configuration consisted of the keyboard and mouse without the head tracker for standard users and only providing game controllers to Soldiers who drive vehicles