Objective measurement and subjective rating of system performance in remote manipulation

Abstract In the present experiment we investigate the usefulness of stereoscopic TV displays for performing remote manipulation tasks. We required a group of relatively inexperienced manipulator operators to perform a complex and difficult remote line threading task and varied the visual di splay combinations available to the operators while performing this task. For each video display condition tested, the operator sat in a centered position facing two CRT’s, each providing a separate view of the remote task site. Total task completion times, manipulative errors, operator gaze preferences, and subjective ratings of lask difficulty were measured for each combination of display types. Results show a strong and consistent operator viewing preference for stereoscopic displays as well as substantial and statistically significant performance advantages for those display combinations that included a stereoscopic view.