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Abstract

With improvements in Helmet-Mounted-Display (HMD) technology, they have become an essential element of many military systems. However, vibration and the Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR) continue to influence the utility of these displays. When a human’s head experiences low-frequency motion, the VOR stabilizes the eye with respect to the external environment. However, this response blurs the perceived image on an HMD as the display moves with the user’s head. This research investigated the VOR as a function of whole-body, low-frequency vibration. An HMD was developed to allow a user to perform visual tasks, while recording eye movements via Electro-OculoGraphy (EOG). This experiment explored the effect of vibration on eye movements while performing tasks chosen to isolate specific eye motions. The magnitude of vertical eye movement during target fixation was greatest between 4 and 6 Hz, while the addition of target motion significantly increased the magnitude of unintended vertical eye movements at peak frequencies. The findings are consistent with previous research, which has found a decline in visual performance for operators using an HMD in environments undergoing vibration.

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Eye Movements When Viewing a HMD Under Vibration

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