Tactile and Aural Alerts in High Auditory Load UAV Control Environments

Abstract

Tactile displays may alleviate visual workload in complex UAV control stations, cueing operators to high priority events via the haptic channel. Previous results suggest that tactile alerts (vibration on wrists) can substitute for aural alerts, as a redundant cue to visual alerts in relatively short test sessions. The present experiment investigated whether tactile alerts are advantageous in high auditory loads during longer periods of vigilance. Participants responded to events alerted via aural or tactile redundant cues, while performing multiple tasks in a simulated UAV control station. Results did not show an advantage of tactile over aural alerts in high auditory loads over 30-minute periods. Despite the lack of performance advantage of tactile alerts over aural alerts, research participants favored the tactile alerts, rating them as more salient and faster in attracting their attention.