Authors:
Miguel Nunes
1
;
Emanuel Silva
1
;
Nuno Sousa
1
;
Emanuel Sousa
1
;
Eduardo Nunes
2
and
Iara Margolis
1
Affiliations:
1
Center for Computer Graphic, Campus de Azurém, Guimarães, Braga, Portugal
;
2
AEROMEC - Aeródromo Municipal de Cascais, Hangar 6, 2785-632, Tires, São Domingos Rana, Portugal
Keyword(s):
Usability, Intuitive Design, Virtual Reality, Handling, SAM, SUS, Aircraft Cockpit, Safety, Well-being.
Abstract:
The present study aimed to assess how professionals from the aviation industry perceived the usability of an application aimed at developing prototypes of airplane cockpits, in virtual reality, from a human-centred design perspective. 12 participants from the aeronautical industry took part in the study. An evaluation using the SUS (System Usability Scale) resulted in a final score of 81.3, while the results from the SAM (Self-Assessment Manikin) indicated a neutral-positive trend towards the application. From participant’s observations and comments, the application’s potential to improve airline security, pilot comfort, and cockpit design efforts, was recognized and appreciated. Despite the positive interactions, some aspects of the application were found to need further improvement, to better align with the expectations and needs of the professionals towards which the application is being geared to.