Title: An exploration of 3D spatial training in teams with a remotely controlled robotic system

Authors: Iris Reychav; Dezhi Wu; Nir Shvalb; Boaz Ben-Moshe

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ariel University, Israel ' Department of Computer Science and Information Systems, Southern Utah University, USA ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ariel University, Israel ' Computer Science, Ariel University, Israel

Abstract: Nowadays, more sophisticated tasks such as teleoperations in surgery are being conducted by robots, which require operators' high-level spatial and team skills. Spatial skills and shared task representations in teams are critical in successfully elaborating decision-relevant information in order to work together seamlessly on complex spatial tasks. In this study, we designed and implemented an innovative remotely controlled robotic system to address this challenge, in addition to a computer simulation system as a control group. We also conducted a set of experiments by randomly assigning 418 participants in teams to both systems in order to examine the effectiveness of the robotic system. The results indicate that the robotic system is as effective as the computer simulation system, and the shared task representations negatively affected training outcomes on robotic training teams. Lastly, we discuss our findings, study implications and future research.

Keywords: robotics; group decision making; computer simulation; spatial skills; internet based tools; 3D spatial training; teams; shared task representations; remote control; robot control; robotic systems; remotely controlled robots.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLT.2014.067736

International Journal of Learning Technology, 2014 Vol.9 No.4, pp.338 - 355

Published online: 07 Mar 2015 *

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