Concordance between task and interface rotational and translational control improves ground vehicle performance.

Full Abstract

Research in various areas of human-system interaction suggests the importance of examining the similarities and dissimilarities between tasks and the interfaces used to complete them. Specifically, the theory of cognitive fit suggests that human problem solvers will perform better when the data and data displays they use to complete a task match some characteristic of that task. An experiment was performed that extends the theory of cognitive fit to the realm of human performance on motor tasks. Participants completed several virtual vehicle control motor tasks that consisted of rotational and translational control components. The tasks were performed with user interfaces that either combined or separated rotational and translational control. The tasks were of two types:
control of either rotation or translation changes but not both concurrently, or simultaneous control of combined rotation and translation changes. The results indicate that task performance was better when the characteristics of the interface matched the characteristics of the task. Actual or potential applications of this research include constructing ground vehicle interface controls that are designed specifically based on the characteristics of the task for which they are to be used, such as primarily driving fast and in a straight line (e.g., on a highway) versus primarily driving slowly with much turning (e.g., on a city street).

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Beckman, Paul A (PA);

Affiliation: Department of Information Systems and Business Analysis, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California 94132, USA. pbeckman(-atsign-)sfsu.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Human factors (Hum Factors), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-; vol 44 (issue 4) : pp 644-53

Dates: Created 2003/04/14; Completed 2003/06/11; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12691371, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Attention
Computer Peripherals
Female
Humans

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.