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Vibrotactile "on-thigh" alerting system in the cockpit
Yael Salzer1, Tal Oron-Gilad, Adi Ronen
1Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.
Human Factors
|June 28, 2011
Summary
Vibrotactile alerts on the thigh can provide directional cues in aircraft cockpits. The "fight" mode, guiding pilots away from danger, was preferred for enhanced situational awareness.
Area of Science:
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Aerospace Engineering
- Human Factors Psychology
Background:
- Cockpit alerts must be robust, easily recognized, and difficult to ignore.
- Visual and auditory channels in cockpits are often overloaded.
- Tactile alerts offer a potential solution to direct pilot attention.
Purpose of the Study:
- Examine the thigh as a location for vibrotactile displays in cockpits.
- Evaluate the added value of tactile cues alongside existing audiovisual alerts.
- Investigate tactile orienting: 'flight' (away) versus 'fight' (toward) cues.
Main Methods:
- Developed a vibrotactile display prototype mounted on the thigh.
- Utilized two display modes (eight and four tactors).
- Evaluated two response modes: compatible ('fight') and inverse ('flight').
Main Results:
- Vertical directional orienting was achievable with the thigh-mounted vibrotactile display.
- The four-tactor display and compatible ('fight') response mode yielded more accurate results.
- Pilots preferred the 'fight' mode for orienting.
Conclusions:
- Tactile cues can effectively provide directional orienting in the vertical plane.
- The added benefit of compatible tactile cues over audiovisual cues requires further reinforcement.
- The 'fight' mode, indicating escape from hazards, was the preferred orientation strategy.
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