Sajay Sadasivan

Evaluating Different Display Techniques for Communicating Search Strategy Training in a Collaborative Virtual Aircraft Inspection Environment

Aircraft inspection is vital to assure safe and reliable air transportation. Search strategy training has been recognized to be effective in improving an inspectors performance in a visual inspection task. Improving the search performance of novice inspectors can be expedited by providing cognitive feedfoward information about the search strategy adopted by an expert inspector. In a collaborative virtual aircraft inspection environment using eye tracking equipment, novice inspectors can observe in real time the point of regard (POR) data of an expert inspector performing an inspection task. This research evaluates the effectiveness of three display techniques —‘dot’, ‘ray casting’ and ‘decaying trace’ – for representing, the gaze slaved visual deictic reference (VDR) of the expert inspector during search strategy training in an aircraft inspection task. Increase in performance of the novices performing an inspection task after training show the ‘decaying trace’ as the most effective form for representing the experts VDR.

Evaluation of interaction devices for projector based virtual reality aircraft inspection training environments

The Aircraft maintenance and inspection is a complex system wherein humans play a key role in ensuring the worthiness of the aircraft. Traditional visual inspection training consisted mainly of on-the-job training (OJT). While OJT provides novice inspectors with the hands-on experience critical to effective transfer, it lacks the ability to provide real-time feedback and exposure to various scenarios in which to inspect. With advances in technology, computer simulators have been developed to train the novice inspector and reduce the learning curve inherent with transitioning from the classroom to the workforce. Advances in graphics and virtual reality (VR) technology have allowed for an increase the sense of involvement in using these simulators. Though these simulators are effective, their deployment in aircraft maintenance training schools is limited by the high cost of VR equipment. This research investigates the effectiveness of different interaction devices for providing projector based simulated aircraft maintenance inspection training.

Collaborative Virtual Environment to Simulate on-the-Job Aircraft Inspection Training Aided by Hand Pointing

The human inspector performing visual inspection of an aircraft is the backbone of the aircraft inspection process, a vital element in assuring safety and reliability of an air transportation system. Training is an effective strategy for improving their inspection performance. A drawback of present-day on-the-job (OJT) training provided to aircraft inspectors is the limited exposure to different defect types. Previous studies have shown offline feedback training using virtual reality (VR) simulators to be effective in improving visual inspection performance. This research aims at combining the advantages of VR technology that includes exposure to a wide variety of defects and the one-on-one tutoring approach of OJT by implementing a collaborative virtual training environment. In an immersive collaborative virtual environment (CVE), avatars are used to represent the co-participants. In a CVE, information of where the trainer is pointing can be provided to a trainee as visual deictic reference (VDR). This study evaluates the effectiveness of simulating on-the-job training in a CVE for aircraft inspection training, providing VDR slaved to a 3D mouse used by the trainer for pointing. The results of this study show that the training was effective in improving inspection performance.

Can we use technology to train inspectors to be more systematic

Inspection quality is dependent on the ability of inspectors to weed out defective items. When inspection is visual in nature, humans play a critical role in ensuring inspection quality with training identified as the primary intervention strategy for improving inspection performance. However, for this strategy to be successful, inspectors must be provided with the needed tools to enhance their inspection skills. In this article we outline efforts pursued at Clemson University, focusing on the development of computer-based training systems for inspection training and discuss the results of some of the research briefly.

Evaluation of Interaction Devices for Ndi Training in Vr: Gamepad Vs. Joystick

Recent advances have led to the development of a virtual simulator to be used for non-destructive inspection (NDI) training of aviation maintenance technicians. The simulator is distinctive in that it has been developed to simulate a general type of NDI job aiding tool (video borescope), as opposed to only simulating a precise model and make. By generating a simulator based on a generic model of the video borescope, the development process must face a common hurdle: determining the best interaction device for the task at hand. In the real world, video borescopes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, as do their interaction devices. In this case, the team must decide upon the best interaction device to be used while ensuring the retention of inspection information from training and facilitating interaction ease of use, all while not permanently engraining the skills that will be needed to control the actual devices when actually used. In short, the interaction device chosen for this simulator should facilitate the trainees ability to learn NDI techniques without hardwiring simulator control techniques which can vary greatly in the real world. In an effort to determine the most applicable interaction device for this generic training simulator, a study was conducted using expert inspectors and two common interaction devices: a gamepad and a joystick. Performance measures were collected and subjective measures, by way of post-test questionnaires, were considered as well. This paper details the evaluation of a gamepad and a joystick as interaction devices when used with a virtual video borescope simulator for inspection training. Following the findings identified in the study, recommendations are provided for the implementation of such devices.