Comparing an augmented reality navigation display to an electronic map for military reconnaissance

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Military Technology
• Virtual Reality Simulation

Background:

• Future soldier displays may incorporate augmented reality (AR) for enhanced situational awareness.
• The Mirror in the Sky (MitS) is an AR display prototype designed to present survey information in the upper visual field.
• Traditional electronic maps are a common navigation tool in military operations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of an AR navigation aid (MitS) against a conventional electronic north-up map.
• To evaluate performance in a simulated military reconnaissance scenario involving route following, threat detection, and rerouting.
• To assess mental workload and recall accuracy associated with each display type.

Main Methods:

• A virtual reality simulation was employed to replicate a military reconnaissance mission.
• Twenty-four soldiers participated, tasked with navigating a route, identifying threats, and rerouting.
• Performance metrics included rerouting decisions, threat detection accuracy, mental workload (secondary task), and post-mission recall.

Main Results:

• Participants demonstrated superior rerouting decision-making when using the electronic north-up map compared to the MitS AR display.
• No significant differences were found in threat detection rates or perceived mental workload between the two display conditions.
• Recall accuracy for threat locations and route alterations was higher with the north-up map.

Conclusions:

• The electronic north-up map proved more effective for navigation decision-making and recall in the simulated scenario than the MitS AR display.
• While AR displays offer potential for future soldier systems, current prototypes may not outperform established navigation tools for all tasks.
• Further research is needed to optimize AR display design for military applications to enhance operational effectiveness.