Human machine interface concept for virtual reality applications

Abstract

Advanced human machine interfaces, like aircraft cockpits, are difficult and expensive to design. The use of Virtual Reality technologies during the design process of the interface through early ergonomics and layout analysis can help to greatly reduce the time of development and the use of costly physical mock-ups. Nevertheless, the use of Virtual Reality and the development of the digital mock-up must be done very carefuly. Via the example of the Virtual Cockpit application for ergonomics studies of aircraft cockpits, this paper presents an approach which consists of a parallel study of the human-machine interface and its image: the “virtual human”-“virtual machine” interface. It introduces a conceptual model of the interface and its image, allowing the preparation of an adapted Virtual Reality application, by studying the application, the human and the machine.