Force Cueing Technology Integration and Feedback Metrics to Improve DMO Simulator Effectiveness

In many cases, simulator quality is equated to the physical characteristics of hardware and software contained within a simulator system. In conjunction with this practice; the term ¡fidelity¡" is often used to express compiled performance of various simulator components. In view of these comparisons, between mechanical parameters and software performance, it is not unusual to find that fidelity requirements frequently reflect how much technology an organization can afford, instead of defining the level of technology necessary for producing an optimal training environment. Rather than base fidelity requirements solely upon inanimate parameters (optical, mechanical, and piezoelectric) SDS proposes development of a Biometic Fidelity Assessment Standardization Tool (BioFAST) that is based upon physiological responses, related to sensory and cognitive functions. Among the variables planned for BioFAST evaluation are sensory spatial reflexes such as: opto-kinetic cervical reflex, opto-kinetic nystagmus, vestibular ocular shifts, digital EEG, and stick control variations. This information will be integrated into a software package that also permits subjective scoring of fidelity criteria using simulator sickness questionnaires and Cooper-Harper surveys of observed vs. desired training outcomes. These and other potential measures can be combined into a composite score that will define simulator fidelity in terms of human compatibility and training accomplishment.