User-centered design and evaluation of an interactive visual-haptic-auditory interface : a user study on assembly

Utilizing user-centred system design and evaluation method has become an increasingly important tool to foster better usability in the field of virtual environments (VEs). In recent years, although it is still the norm that designers and developers are concerning the technological advancement and striving for designing impressive multimodal multisensory interfaces, more and more awareness are aroused among the development team that in order to produce usable and useful interfaces, it is essential to have users in mind during design and validate a new design from users' perspective. In this paper, we describe a user study carried out to validate a newly developed haptically enabled virtual training system. By taking consideration of the complexity of individual differences on human performance, adoption and acceptance of haptic and audio-visual I/O devices, we address how well users learn, perform, adapt to and perceive object assembly training. We also explore user experience and interaction with the system, and discuss how multisensory feedback affects user performance, perception and acceptance. At last, we discuss how to better design VEs that enhance users perception, their interaction and motor activity.

Multidimensional evaluation framework for virtual environment efficacy assessment

This research is related to the user-centred design and use of Virtual Environment (VE) training systems. A multidimensional user-centred systematic training evaluation framework that combines ideas from human-computer interaction, training, education and psychology was proposed, which contributes to better design and evaluation of VE user interfaces.

User-centered evaluation of a virtual environment training system : utility of user perception measures

This study assessed the utility of measures of Self-efficacy (SelfEfficacy) and Perceived VE efficacy (PVEefficacy) for quantifying how effective VEs are in procedural task training. SelfEfficacy and PVEefficacy have been identified as affective construct potentially underlying VE efficacy that is not evident from user task performance. The motivation for this study is to establish subjective measures of VE efficacy and investigate the relationship between PVEefficacy, SelfEfficacy and User task performance. Results demonstrated different levels of prior experience in manipulating 3D objects in gaming or computer environment (LOE3D) effects on task performance and user perception of VE efficacy. Regression analysis revealed LOE3D, SelfEfficacy,
PVEefficacy explain significant portions of the variance in VE efficacy. Results of the study provide further evidence that task performance may share relationships with PVEefficacy and SelfEfficacy, and that affective constructs, such as PVEefficacy, and SelfEfficacy may serve as alternative, subjective measures of task performance that account for VE efficacy.

Application of a discrete event simulation for robust system design of a melt facility

This paper presents a methodology to identify robust operating regions through the selection of controllable factory variables, using discrete event simulation. A casting plant melt facility was used as an industrial test bed to develop these techniques. A robust system design was determined by response surface analysis of key production parameters. Furthermore, robust operating policies that maximise throughput, while minimizing work-in-progress and thus energy consumption were identified.

Introduction to evolutionary computing in system design

In this chapter, an introduction on the use of evolutionary computing techniques, which are considered as global optimization and search techniques inspired from biological evolutions, in the domain of system design is presented. A variety of evolutionary computing techniques are first explained, and the motivations of using evolutionary computing techniques in tackling system design tasks are then discussed. In addition, a number of successful applications of evolutionary computing to system design tasks are described.

Exact-estimator-based terminal sliding mode control system design

This paper investigates an estimator-based terminal sliding mode control system. An exact estimator is proposed to exactly estimate the unknown uncertainties in finite time. The output of the exact estimator is used to design a continuous chattering free terminal sliding mode control. The time taken for the closed-loop system to reach zero tracking error is proven to be finite. Experiment results are presented, using a real time digital-signal-processor (DSP) based electromagnetic levitation system to implement the control performance.

Rural-urban TBI outcomes : system design, experience and paramedic intervention

The results of this research suggest that outcomes following severe TBI are similar between rural and urban locations, and that paramedics face unique challenges when managing high-acuity low-frequency cases in rural areas.

Experience with and attitudes toward psychotherapy and antidepressants among patients with inflammatory bowel disease and functional gastrointestinal disorders: an online patient survey to inform system design

This study aimed to explore and compare experiences with and attitudes toward psychotherapy and antidepressants of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGiDs). Patients from gastroenterology clinic databases were invited to an online survey. Student's t test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and Fisher's test were used to compare patients with IBD and FGiD on demographics and variables of interest. Of 86 participants, 56 (65%) had IBD and 30 (35%) had FGiDs. Mean levels of anxiety, depressive, and stress symptoms were within the moderate to severe range. Psychological care and antidepressants were offered to significantly more FGiD than to IBD respondents (37% vs. 9%; p = .009). Although the symptoms were generally reduced after the prescription of antidepressants, only 30% of IBD respondents and 21% of FGiD respondents using antidepressants would recommend them to others. In contrast, 53% of IBD respondents and 69% of FGiD respondents who used psychotherapy would recommend it to others. Both these therapies were valued by recipients; however, neither was reported to improve gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Given the high desire for and positive experiences of psychological care for these 2 common GI conditions, access to formal psychological support services within GI clinics would appear to be the most efficient model.