Re-viewing reality: human factors of synthetic training environments

Computer-based training (CBT) has become an important training tool and is used effectively in providing part-task activities. In the military domain virtual environments (VEs) have long been exploited, mainly through virtual reality (VR), to create realistic working environments. More recently, aug mented reality (AR) and advanced embedded training (AET) concepts have also emerged and the development of "AR-AET" and "VR-CBT" concepts promise to b ecome essential tools within military training. Whilst the advantages of bo th AR and VR are attractive, the challenges for delivering such application s are, generally, technology led. Equally as important, however, is the inc orporation of human factors design and implementation techniques and this h as been recognized by the development and publication of International Stan dard ISO 13407, Human-Centred Design Processes for Interactive Systems. Exa mples described in this paper serve to review Human Factors issues associat ed with the use of both AR and VR training systems. Whilst there are common issues between AR and VR applications in considering the potential of synt hetic training environments, it is also necessary to address particular hum an-centred design issues within each application domain. (C) 2001 Academic Press.