Usability evaluation of a haptically controlled backhoe excavator simulation

摘要

Haptic feedback in user interface design has become a major area of research in recent years because it provides feedback that enables users to experience the sensation of 'feel', which can often enhance their decision making and improve their performance. One such application is the use of haptic control in backhoe excavator. Despite the advantage of haptic control, it is unclear how usable such a new system is. A pilot study was conducted to explore the user behavior when using a haptic device (PhanTom Omni) to control a backhoe excavator in a simulated environment. Results from that study indicated that the usability of the new system may suffer due to the efforts on hand-eye coordination. This research uses usability evaluation techniques to investigate potential usability problems of the interface of a haptically controlled backhoe simulator. Findings of this research will provide design suggestions for the manufacturers.