To extend a previous survey of specific decision support system (DSS) applications over the period (January 1971–April 1988), we have conducted a follow-up survey of DSS applications published between May 1988 and December 1994. Two hundred seventy-one published applications are identified. This survey reveals that there appear to be more creative applications of optimisation and suggestion model-based DSS than simulation-based applications. This is evidenced by a proportional increase of optimisation and suggestion models and a decrease of representation models. Moreover, group decision support systems, executive support systems, and knowledge-based systems applications are becoming more prevalent in many organisations. Although management science (MS)/operational research (OR) models continue to play critical roles, there is a clear observable trend in the DSS model area that three non-MS/OR tools are emerging as powerful DSS tools: graphics, artificial intelligence, and visual interactive modeling.

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1057%2Fpalgrave.jors.2600507.pdf

A survey of decision support system applications (1988–1994)

This paper explores the combination of inertial sensor data with vision. Visual and inertial sensing are two sensory modalities that can be explored to give robust solutions on image segmentation and recovery of 3D structure from images, increasing the capabilities of autonomous robots and enlarging the application potential of vision systems. In biological systems, the information provided by the vestibular system is fused at a very early processing stage with vision, playing a key role on the execution of visual movements such as gaze holding and tracking, and the visual cues aid the spatial orientation and body equilibrium. In this paper, we set a framework for using inertial sensor data in vision systems, and describe some results obtained. The unit sphere projection camera model is used, providing a simple model for inertial data integration. Using the vertical reference provided by the inertial sensors, the image horizon line can be determined. Using just one vanishing point and the vertical, we can recover the camera's focal distance and provide an external bearing for the system's navigation frame of reference. Knowing the geometry of a stereo rig and its pose from the inertial sensors, the collineations of level planes can be recovered, providing enough restrictions to segment and reconstruct vertical features and leveled planar patches.

Vision and inertial sensor cooperation using gravity as a vertical reference

Keywords: LTS3 Reference LTS-ARTICLE-2004-019 Record created on 2006-06-14, modified on 2016-08-08

Introduction to the special issue on multimedia implementation », IEEE Trans. On Circuits and Systems for Video Technology

Musings on telepresence and virtual presence

This paper examines the role of intuition in the way that people operate unfamiliar devices. Intuition is a type of cognitive processing that is often non-conscious and utilises stored experiential knowledge. Intuitive interaction involves the use of knowledge gained from other products and/or experiences. Two initial experimental studies revealed that prior exposure to products employing similar features helped participants to complete set tasks more quickly and intuitively, and that familiar features were intuitively used more often than unfamiliar ones. A third experiment confirmed that performance is affected by a person's level of familiarity with similar technologies, and also revealed that appearance (shape, size and labelling of features) seems to be the variable that most affects time spent on a task and intuitive uses during that time. Age also seems to have an effect. These results and their implications are discussed.

Investigating users’ intuitive interaction with complex artefacts

Human-machine interfaces play a crucial role in intervention robotic systems operated in hazardous environments, such as deep sea conditions. This article introduces a user interface abstraction layer to enhance reconfigurability. It also describes a VR-based interface that utilizes immersive technologies to reduce user faults and mental fatigue. The goal is to show the user only the most relevant information about the current mission.

/pdf/a-natural-interface-for-remote-operation-of-underwater-5egq42zojy.pdf

A Natural Interface for Remote Operation of Underwater Robots

This paper investigates approaches capable of inducing sensations of tele-presence in robotic tele-operations. Operator's control actions are simpler, if he feels being in the remote environment. The goal is to replicate some conditions of the remote environment to let operator's perception behaviours approximate to the natural ones. Since immersion aims at providing stimulus to trick the sensory system, we pursue a consistency between outside sensory feedbacks and inside sensory proprioceptive, vestibular information and cognitive models. Seeking operations enhancement, we explore the embodiment concept by virtually place the operator inside the robot. This research develops and evaluates natural-based interfaces for immersive tele-operation. The results indicate a decrease in cognitive workload with gains in task performance.

Improving robot teleoperation experience via immersive interfaces

Transferring skills and expertise to remote places, without being present, is a new challenge for our digitally interconnected society. People can experience and perform actions in distant places through a robotic agent wearing immersive interfaces to feel physically there. However, technological contingencies can affect human perception, compromising skill-based performances. Considering the results from studies on human factors, a set of recommendations for the construction of immersive teleoperation systems is provided, followed by an example of the evaluation methodology. We developed a testbed to study perceptual issues that affect task performance while users manipulated the environment either through traditional or immersive interfaces. The analysis of its effect on perception, navigation, and manipulation relies on performances measures and subjective answers. The goal is to mitigate the effect of factors such as system latency, field of view, frame of reference, or frame rate to achieve the sense of telepresence. By decoupling the flows of an immersive teleoperation system, we aim to understand how vision and interaction fidelity affects spatial cognition. Results show that misalignments between the frame of reference for vision and motor-action or the use of tools affecting the sense of body position or movement have a higher effect on mental workload and spatial cognition.

Interface Transparency Issues in Teleoperation

This paper proposes a new interaction mechanism for tele-operating a mobile robot. The approach explores the notion of telepresence and physical embodiment to create what may be called tele-embodiment. Its principle is that the operator will see himself at the remote site and this will enable him/her to better operate the robot. Four interaction styles were experimentally compared, from the traditional joystick approaches to more innovative based on natural body posture intentions. The environment perception is provided by the visual feedback, according to head pose behaviour. The results show that the gesture and body based methods improves the user dexterity performing this kind of task. Moreover, the present study suggests that, when a person is focused on the task, achieving the ownership illusion towards remote body, there are autonomic responses that correspond to what would be expected in events that take place in reality (like avoiding collisions).

Be the robot: Human embodiment in tele-operation driving tasks

Over the past few years, virtual and mixed reality systems have evolved significantly yielding high immersive experiences. Most of the metaphors used for interaction with the virtual environment do not provide the same meaningful feedback, to which the users are used to in the real world. This paper proposes a cyber-glove to improve the immersive sensation and the degree of embodiment in virtual and mixed reality interaction tasks. In particular, we are proposing a cyber-glove system that tracks wrist movements, hand orientation and finger movements. It provides a decoupled position of the wrist and hand, which can contribute to a better embodiment in interaction and manipulation tasks. Additionally, the detection of the curvature of the fingers aims to improve the proprioceptive perception of the grasping/releasing gestures more consistent to visual feedback. The cyber-glove system is being developed for VR applications related to real estate promotion, where users have to go through divisions of the house and interact with objects and furniture. This work aims to assess if glove-based systems can contribute to a higher sense of immersion, embodiment and usability when compared to standard VR hand controller devices (typically button-based). Twenty-two participants tested the cyber-glove system against the HTC Vive controller in a 3D manipulation task, specifically the opening of a virtual door. Metric results showed that 83% of the users performed faster door pushes, and described shorter paths with their hands wearing the cyber-glove. Subjective results showed that all participants rated the cyber-glove based interactions as equally or more natural, and 90% of users experienced an equal or a significant increase in the sense of embodiment.

Luis Almeida

Papers

A Natural Interface for Remote Operation of Underwater Robots

Improving robot teleoperation experience via immersive interfaces

Interface Transparency Issues in Teleoperation

Be the robot: Human embodiment in tele-operation driving tasks

Towards natural interaction in immersive reality with a cyber-glove