Visual Vestibular Test Device for Screening and Desensitization Training

The maneuvers and vibrations of modern military vehicles result in accelerations that can affect the ability of operators and occupants to read platform-fixed displays. Reflexive interactions between the visual and vestibular systems and pathology that affects these reflexes can affect dynamic visual acuity, impairing the performance of vehicle and system operators, and risking mission success. The motion stimuli can also induce motion sickness in susceptible individuals, resulting in further performance impairment. There are no field devices for evaluating dynamic visual acuity during non-voluntary translational motion. We propose to develop a computer controlled Visual Vestibular Test Device (VVTD) that will enable dynamic visual acuity testing and motion sickness desensitization training to be routinely administered by technicians with minimal training. The feasibility of the proposed device will be demonstrated in Phase I, and the device will be fabricated, validated, and installed at a military base in Phase II. The results of a detailed test program using this device will then be used to develop a low-cost lightweight device that can be used in the field.