DEVELOPMENT OF A PROTOTYPE VIRTUAL REALITY TRAINER FOR TACTICAL VEHICLE GROUND-GUIDING PROCEDURES

Abstract

The use of virtual reality (VR) technology in the training domain brings several benefits to the training force: compared to training in the real world, VR training reduces logistical support, it eliminates high-risk safety situations, and it enables scenarios not possible otherwise. This work determines the viability of using commercial off-the-shelf technology (COTS) to develop a prototype VR trainer in support of tactical vehicle ground-guiding procedures. A task analysis was conducted to identify all steps of the task in which an individual used hand and arm signals to communicate directions and position to another individual who operated a tactical vehicle. This work was used to define elements of human performance and system requirements, and to develop a multiuser VR training system. A total of eighteen subjects participated in a user study to evaluate usability of the system. The prototype system was able to fully immerse the subjects with visual, aural, and haptic displays, successfully blocking out influences from the real world to a sufficient extent that subjects believed they were in the virtual world and could perform ground-guiding operations. Given the subjects’ responses in the Standardized Usability Scale questionnaire, the system was seen as a viable tool for training of ground-guiding procedures. The results of this study demonstrated that it is feasible to use COTS technology and create a prototype system for training in ground-guiding and driving skills.