Study of visual cues for unmanned aerial vehicle waypoint allocation

Visual cues for an operator station for unmanned aerial vehicles were evaluated in a simulation study. Vehicle position and heading information was displayed on a platform map, and simulated video imagery from the vehicle was provided. Two video camera orientations were used, facing forward or sideways from the vehicle. A camera field-of-view icon on the map was also tested. Subjects planned trajectory waypoints for the vehicle in order to monitor a specified object. Operators using a side view completed the mission 25% to 36% faster than with a forward view. However, subjective preferences favored a forward view for target-locating. The addition of a field-of-view icon reduced mission times by 12% to 26%