Evaluation of wearable simulation interface for military training.

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Military Training Technology
• Simulation-Based Education

Background:

• Military teams traditionally use desktop simulators for squad procedures.
• A wearable computer interface was developed to enhance realism and immersion in training.
• This interface integrates into a soldier's load-bearing equipment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the training effectiveness of a novel wearable computer simulation interface.
• To compare its usability, training retention, and training transfer against desktop simulators and other training methods.

Main Methods:

• Heuristic usability evaluation with eight evaluators.
• Experiment 1: Compared training retention of wearable vs. desktop simulators and interactive video.
• Experiment 2: Compared training transfer of wearable and desktop simulators against live training.

Main Results:

• The wearable interface exhibited lower usability and higher simulator sickness symptoms.
• No significant differences in training retention were found between wearable, desktop, or video methods.
• Live training demonstrated superior training transfer compared to simulators; no difference between wearable and desktop simulators.

Conclusions:

• The wearable simulator did not outperform the desktop interface in training effectiveness.
• The wearable interface presented usability challenges and exacerbated simulator sickness.
• Novelty in training technology does not inherently guarantee improved outcomes; empirical evaluation is crucial.