iPod touch operator control unit for unmanned ground vehicles

Abstract

The increased deployment of unmanned systems in the modern battlefield led to the demand of portable interaction devices for controlling these platforms. These highly sophisticated systems are often accompanied with complex operator control units (OCUs), which are bulky and hinder the operator’s maneuverability. Thus, there is a demand for smaller OCUs which are able to perform the primary functions of the unmanned system and can be used while on the move.

Gesture interaction techniques capitalize on well-learned gestures for command input, which result in lower training time and cost. Human errors are also reduced as operators can allocate more attention on the task than on how to control these systems. Using a tri-axis accelerometer, gestures can be captured, interpreted into commands, and sent to the unmanned platforms.

The iPhone and iPod Touch include both the accelerometer and a display screen, which make out-of-sight operations possible on a single pocket-size device. These devices are also equipped with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities, thus allowing for wireless communication without the need for additional attachments.

This research explores the advantages and limitations of gesture interaction techniques using the iPod Touch for the control of a single unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). An application consisting of four interaction techniques, two of which involving gestures, is developed as part of the research effort. Finally, a user study involving navigation task is presented to evaluate these interaction techniques.

The user study revealed that gesture interaction can be used as an intuitive form of interaction technique. However, its function must be paired with the appropriate task. Thus, successful applications of the accelerometer include considerations for both the task and interaction techniques.