APPLICATION OF VIRTUAL REALITY TECHNOLOGIES FOR ERGONOMIC STUDIES OF INTERACTION BETWEEN COSMONAUTS AND HUMANOID ROBOTIC ASSISTANT

Paper number

IAC-16,B3,6-A5.3,5,x32287

Coauthor

Dr. Igor G. Sokhin, Yu.A. Gagarin Research and Test Cosmonaut Training Center, Russian Federation

Coauthor

Dr. Andrey Kuritsin, Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, Russian Federation

Coauthor

Mr. Yuri Lonchakov, Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, Russian Federation

Coauthor

Dr. Valeriy Sivolap, Russian Federation

Coauthor

Mr. Aleksey Bogdanov, Russian Federation

Coauthor

Mr. Vladislav Sychkov, SPA "Android Technics", Russian Federation

Coauthor

Prof. Mikhail Mikhaylyuk, Russian Federation

Coauthor

Mr. Mikhail Kornienko, Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, Russian Federation

Year

2016

Abstract

The analysis of world development trends in manned space exploration shows that the strategic prospects of this branch of human activity closely relate to the exploration of the Moon and implementation of interplanetary missions to Mars and nearby asteroids. As compared with manned space flights around Earth, implementation of interplanetary missions is a much more difficult task. In this regard, special attention is paid to the use of anthropomorphous robotic systems purposed to support activities of a space crew. These anthropomorphous robotic assistants (RAs) possess some advantages over other robotic systems when performing flight operations. Particularly, it is possible to control them in a master-slave mode. A crew member or an operator in a Mission Control Center can function as a human operator to control a robot.
When creating and using the RAs, the issues of efficient man-to-robot interaction become topical. The question arises: how to ensure the high interactivity level of a man-machine interface while keeping the “naturalness” of a dialog and prompt response to changes of working environment? Virtual reality technologies offer the broad prospects in this regard. The quality of robot control can be improved by using induced virtual world, comprising virtual models of a robot and an environment. All actions of the real robot are simulated in the given environment in real time on basis of telemetric information. It is possible to watch the robot performance and to control it more accurately in a multiport display mode (i.e. from several virtual cameras simultaneously).
In addition, virtual reality technologies are important for laboratory and semi-natural ergonomic studies, allowing evaluating the characteristics of the being developed “cosmonaut-robot” interface. Experimental studies of user characteristics of the hardware-software complex for the cosmonaut-operator's work station and processes of remote controlling the anthropomorphous robotic assistant using emulation of running scenarios of interaction between 3D models of the RA and 3D models of environment have been carried out at the Cosmonaut Training Center.
The paper presents the main results of experimental studies.

Abstract document

IAC-16,B3,6-A5.3,5,x32287.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-16,B3,6-A5.3,5,x32287.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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