Effects of Different Control Mechanisms upon Use of a Training Device.

摘要

This research examined the relative effects of different joystick systems ('Driver' and 'Pacman') and different computer response times (2.5 seconds and 1.5 seconds) on soldiers' abilities to drive a vehicle on the Platoon-level Battlefield Simulation (PLBS) system. The Driver joystick system was designed so that all driving movements were made from the view of a hypothetical driver inside the vehicle. The Pacman control system design was similar to that of the Pacman game. Thirty-four subjects completed two different driving tasks across different routes on the PLBS terrain. The experimental sessions consisted of four trials with two trials for each driving task. The subjects used a different type of responding mechanism for each trial. The Pacman joystick configurations led to fewer driving problems and seemed to be easier to use than the Driver joystick configurations. Also, the subjects' verbal reports indicated that Pacman joystick configurations were easier to use than the Driver joystick configurations. Based on these findings, PLBS was equipped with a Pacman style joystick configuration. Keywords: Computer-based training; Training devices; Army training; Simulators; Tactical training; Performance (human). (sdw)