Aurally aided visual search in three-dimensional space.
We conducted an experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of spatial audio displays on target acquisition performance. Participants performed a visual search task with and without the aid of a spatial audio display. Potential target locations ranged between plus and minus 180 degrees in azimuth and from -70 degrees to +90 degrees in elevation. Independent variables included the number of visual distractors present (1, 5, 10, 25, 50) and the spatial audio condition (no spatial audio, free-field spatial audio, virtual spatial audio). Results indicated that both free-field and virtual audio cues engendered a significant decrease in search times. Potential applications of this research include the design of spatial audio displays for aircraft cockpits and ground combat vehicles.
Bolia
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AFRL/HECP, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, USA. robert.bolia@wpafb.af.mil
D'Angelo
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McKinley
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D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001307:Auditory Perception; D001359:Aviation / Q000295:instrumentation; D003463:Cues; D003626:Data Display; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D011930:Reaction Time; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014796:Visual Perception