Effect of perception difference between first- and third-person perspectives on local and global situation recognition in ship handling

Abstract Remote monitoring and control systems are being used with more frequency, but the characteristics of situational awareness and decision-making from remote locations are largely unknown. Remote operators’ sources of information differ from on-board sources greatly in terms of perspective, field of view, and available data type (qualitative or quantitative). This study focused on clarifying the cognitive effects of first- and third-person perspectives on ship handling. A working hypothesis was formulated based on the findings of visual information processing and previous studies and tested using a developed ship handling simulator. The results revealed that: (1) the cognitive characteristics of the first-person perspective make it more effective in safely guiding ship handling than does the third-person perspective, and (2) the deviation in cognitive characteristics is prominent where collision can be easily avoided. The findings will aid the development of on-board and remotely piloted vessels and ensure the safety of their crews.