Design of a simulator for eye and hand tracking tasks under horizontal whole body vibration

This paper describes the development of a device used to simulate target acquisition and tracking tasks in a horizontal vibration environment, particularly, a main battle tank. For specifying vibration conditions used in the experiment, 3-DOF acceleration was measured in a real main battle tank. Mathematical models for the electro-hydraulic turret system were identified. The simulation environment was developed based on real-time software that commands valves and pneumatic actuators, displays the target and sight points and acquires position from an adapted gunner´s handle joystick. Preliminary results for one gunner´s training are presented. The methods described are being used in broader research aiming to correlate horizontal vibration with target acquisition and tracking errors.