Multi-modal Display Development for Tactical Operations
Business Case
Helping in the Development of displays for human - robot interaction in tactical environments
Services Provided
Industry
Usability
Research & Development
Military
Project Summary
Communication in tactical environments is inherently complex, and introducing robotic entities adds another layer of difficulty. These semi-autonomous systems must not only operate independently but also effectively exchange information and receive directives from human counterparts.
Designing systems to enhance human-robot communication across multiple modalities requires intuitive interfaces that help minimize the impacts of human error while exchanging information with semi-autonomous entities.
The Challenge
During the development phase of a robotic entity designed for infantry tactical operations, a key challenge emerged: creating a multi-modal user interface suited for environments where voice communication may be impractical. Developers working on the display design lacked expertise in interface guidelines, particularly those mandated by the Department of Defense.
The project focused on evaluating an initial semi-usable interface while developing a usability assessment tool to support an iterative three month design-test cycle which didn’t allowed for user testing on the initial development phase.
By refining the interface and establishing a structured evaluation process, the goal was to ensure the initial robot-human user interface system met design guidelines, while equipping the development team with a good guiding tool to assess the iterative modifications bound to happen to the display’s design.
The Approach
A comprehensive examination of DoD design guidelines was executed and the most relevant design principles applicable to multi-modal displays were selected. These design principles then were classified and a usability assessment tool specific for this display was created, a quantitative metric was added to the tool alongside with a minimum acceptable usability score that the display needed to meet to be deemed user friendly.
A series of tactical case scenarios were created with the help of an subject matter expert (SME). Next a usability assessment was done using the case scenarios and the usability assessment tool. Data was collected, analyzed and design recommendations were created referencing specific DoD design guidelines.
The Outcome
Deficiencies in the initial display design were identified through the customized usability assessment tool, which revealed that the design failed to meet the minimum usability score required for user-friendliness. To address this, design recommendations referencing specific DoD guidelines were provided to developers. Alongside these recommendations, the usability assessment tool and a "how-to" guide were shared to facilitate implementation.
These resources enabled the development team to make significant improvements, ensuring compliance with DoD standards. The assessment tool was then successfully integrated into the iterative design process, helping maintain usability above the required threshold.
Usability Services
Human In Systems transforms data into actionable insights, improving system usability and performance. Thanks to our knowledge of human - systems interaction, we deliver tailored solutions that connect user needs with operational goals.
Systems Innovation Research and Development
At Human In Systems, Research and Development (R&D) is a vital process that drives innovation and keeps the company at the forefront of human factors engineering. Through a structured approach, R&D allows us to develop proprietary tools tailored to solving complex challenges in safety, performance, and user experience.