Bebop Sensors – Forte Data Glove for training users in virtual reality for C-130 radio systems Direct to Phase II

BeBop Sensors developed the Forte Data Glove (FDG), capable to precisely measure hand movement and provide haptic feedback. These capabilities make it an ideal mixed reality training tool. This proposed Direct to Phase II project is aimed to test and adapt the FDG to the needs of the 189th Airlift Wing (ANG), based in Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas. ANG is training soldiers to use advance radio systems on the C-130 aircraft, requiring the military to incur the costs of flying the aircraft, removing it from operational availability and modifying the operational in order to minimize otherwise exorbitant environments. The use of a VR environment as a training environment lacks the ability to provide haptic feedback to the trainee, as well as limits the user's ability to control objects shown in the simulation. This, decreases the effectiveness of the training, which research shows is most efficient when muscle memory is built - only available with physical feedback. The FDG enables training programs to both increase the efficiency and effectiveness of training using a virtual environment faithfully, reducing the need to fly the C-130 unnecessarily, reducing the cost of training and enabling knowledge maintenance.