Concordance between task and interface rotational and translational control improves ground vehicle performance

Research in various areas of human-system interaction suggests the importance of examining the similarities and dissimilarities between tasks and the interfaces used to complete them. Specifically, the theory of cognitive fit suggests that human problem solvers will perform better when the data and data displays they use to complete a task match some characteristic of that task. An experiment was performed that extends the theory of cognitive fit to the realm of human performance on motor tasks. Participants completed several virtual vehicle control motor tasks that consisted of rotational and translational control components. The tasks were performed with user interfaces that either combined or separated rotational and translational control. The tasks were of two types: control of either rotation or translation changes but not both concurrently, or simultaneous control of combined rotation and translation changes. The results indicate that task performance was better when the characteristics of the interface matched the characteristics of the task. Actual or potential applications of this research include constructing ground vehicle interface controls that are designed specifically based on the characteristics of the task for which they are to be used, such as primarily driving fast and in a straight line (e.g., on a highway) versus primarily driving slowly with much turning (e.g., on a city street).