Virtual Reality research work for pilot safety
Understanding 'the human factor' with the aid of virtual reality is the object of research by one team of psychologists at Cardiff University. Helping to illustrate this was Eric Farmer of the Human Science Centre, DERA, whose research, in collaboration with Professor Dylan Jones, is helping to safeguard air pilots. In modern aircraft a pilot's workload is so high that they have little time to look down into the cockpit for instructions. Psychologists are therefore designing a helmet that enables a pilot to read instructions on a lens in the helmet. By using virtual reality they can gauge the human ability to safely adjust eye focus and switch concentration between the instruments and the outside world.
In other research studies virtual reality is being used by the psychologists to investigate 'real-world' problems such as driving skill and concentration in foggy conditions, for example. Work is also underway to develop advanced air-borne cameras that can be operated from the ground, which may ultimately save lives in air and sea searches.
Eric Farmer of the Human Science Centre, DERA, explains the applications of virtual reality research work being undertaken in collaboration with Professor Dylan Jones and colleagues in the School of Psychology.