Technician Performance with Wearable PC/HMD

The performance of Air Force technicians is essential to the logistics mission. Their performance will soon be augmented by wearable PCs. Peripherals such as CD-ROM, head-mounted displays (HMD), voice command, and wireless may support some tasks and stifle others. Human factors research is needed to optimize equipment to fit the task and the work environment. Prior Armstrong Laboratory research found that technicians need a light-weight HMD with a robust menu selector that leaves hands capable of using instruments and tools.In Phase I, a glasses-mounted, flat-panel display will be mated to a COTS PC that will provide unobscured vision with continuous wear. The result will be used to test an improved voice recognition system against and with a "hands free" micro-mouse. Demonstrations of a task checklist, training segment, and tech-manual will feature user menu selections accomplished while using hand tools in a simulated working environment. Phase II will quantify criteria for specifying the peripherals of PC system for complex technical tasks performed alone and in a team.