Enhancing Remote Welding Operations Using 360-Degree Video
Rahman, Abu Musa Md Rezaur (2024)
Rahman, Abu Musa Md Rezaur
2024
Tietojenkäsittelyopin maisteriohjelma - Master's Programme in Computer Science
Informaatioteknologian ja viestinnän tiedekunta - Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2024-12-30
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-2024121911403
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-2024121911403
Tiivistelmä
The challenges faced by remote welding operators stem from the limitations of traditional monitoring systems, which constrain visibility and spatial awareness in various welding environments. Immersive video technologies have emerged as a promising solution, offering new ways to improve situational awareness through computational advancements. This study explores the potential of 360-degree video technology, combined with optimized camera positioning and carefully designed visual overlays, to enhance operators' spatial perception and decision-making. By testing these solutions in controlled experimental settings, this research aims to improve remote welding operations by lever-aging 360-degree video technology to boost situational awareness, optimize visual input, and support operator performance.
To evaluate the effectiveness of camera positioning and visual cue design on operator performance, experiments were conducted with different configurations. Three viewing angles—front, back, and underneath—were tested, with the front view proving to be the most effective by offering the best balance of spatial awareness, operator comfort, and focus retention. The Back View provided good visibility but limited spatial awareness, while the Underneath View presented ergonomic challenges, leading to discomfort and increased cognitive demand. Additionally, the impact of three visual cues was assessed: the equipment settings box, the path alignment indicator, and the warning indicator. The Equipment Settings Box emerged as the most effective visual cue, while the Path Alignment Indicator revealed significant design limitations related to visibility and alignment accuracy.
The findings underscore the importance of user-centered design in remote welding systems, highlighting how intuitive visual cues and ergonomic camera placements play a critical role in reducing cognitive strain and enhancing task engagement. The integration of real-time feedback systems, such as the Warning indicator, showed significant potential for supporting error correction and improving decision-making in high-stakes tasks. This research contributes to the field of Human-Technology Interaction (HTI) and aligns with the vision of Industry 5.0 by promoting human-centric approaches and the sustain-able integration of emerging technologies in industrial operations. The results provide actionable recommendations for optimizing camera configurations, refining visual cue de-signs, and enhancing ergonomic setups in remote welding systems. While the study demonstrates the promise of 360-degree video technology for improving remote operations, future research should focus on testing these solutions in dynamic industrial settings, involving larger and more diverse participant groups, and exploring complex welding scenarios to further validate and extend these findings.
To evaluate the effectiveness of camera positioning and visual cue design on operator performance, experiments were conducted with different configurations. Three viewing angles—front, back, and underneath—were tested, with the front view proving to be the most effective by offering the best balance of spatial awareness, operator comfort, and focus retention. The Back View provided good visibility but limited spatial awareness, while the Underneath View presented ergonomic challenges, leading to discomfort and increased cognitive demand. Additionally, the impact of three visual cues was assessed: the equipment settings box, the path alignment indicator, and the warning indicator. The Equipment Settings Box emerged as the most effective visual cue, while the Path Alignment Indicator revealed significant design limitations related to visibility and alignment accuracy.
The findings underscore the importance of user-centered design in remote welding systems, highlighting how intuitive visual cues and ergonomic camera placements play a critical role in reducing cognitive strain and enhancing task engagement. The integration of real-time feedback systems, such as the Warning indicator, showed significant potential for supporting error correction and improving decision-making in high-stakes tasks. This research contributes to the field of Human-Technology Interaction (HTI) and aligns with the vision of Industry 5.0 by promoting human-centric approaches and the sustain-able integration of emerging technologies in industrial operations. The results provide actionable recommendations for optimizing camera configurations, refining visual cue de-signs, and enhancing ergonomic setups in remote welding systems. While the study demonstrates the promise of 360-degree video technology for improving remote operations, future research should focus on testing these solutions in dynamic industrial settings, involving larger and more diverse participant groups, and exploring complex welding scenarios to further validate and extend these findings.