The Effects of Active Head Rotation on the Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex during Visual Pursuit of a Target Displayed on the Integrated Helmet and Display Sight Subsystem

Abstract

Military helicopter pilots are relying more on night vision devices as the number of night operations continues to increase. However, previous studies have indicated that night vision devices do not provide adequate peripheral orientation and motion cues. This study aimed to develop a new technique for examining sustained reductions in the vestibuloocular reflex (VOR) as a means of improving motion discrimination among pilots that use night vision devices. Nine participants performed a series of active head rotation tasks designed to establish a baseline VOR measurement in the control condition, and to suppress the VOR in the experimental condition. The results of the active head rotation tasks revealed that the VOR was not significantly reduced in the experimental condition. Future research will be aimed at altering the task duration and stimuli to determine whether active head rotation is capable of reducing the VOR.

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