Recent research results in stereo 3-D pictorial displays at Langley Research Center

Results from a NASA Langley Research Center program which addressed stereo 3-D pictorial displays from a comprehensive standpoint are reviewed. The program dealt with human factors issues and display technology aspects, as well as flight display applications. The human factors findings include addressing a fundamental issue challenging the application of stereoscopic displays in head-down flight applications, with the determination that stereoacuity is unaffected by the short-term use of stereo 3-D displays. While stereoacuity has been a traditional measurement of depth perception abilities, it is a measure of relative depth, rather than actual depth (absolute depth). Therefore, depth perception effects based on size and distance judgments and long-term stereo exposure remain issues to be investigated. The applications of stereo 3-D to pictorial flight displays within the program have repeatedly demonstrated increases in pilot situational awareness and task performance improvements. These improvements have been obtained within the constraints of the limited viewing volume available with conventional stereo displays. A number of stereo 3-D pictorial display applications are described, including recovery from flight-path offset, helicopter hover, and emulated helmet-mounted display