Exploring the effect of human-drone communication modality on safety and balance control in virtual construction environments

• Published in: Ergonomics Vol. 68; no. 5; pp. 723 - 736
• Main Authors: Hu, Boyi, Xia, Shuyan, Zhu, Zixian, Cheng, Jiun-Yao, Luo, Yue, Jeelani, Idris, Gheisari, Masoud
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 04.05.2025; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: Accidental Falls - prevention & control; Adult; Balance; balance control; cognitive workload; Communication; Computer applications; Construction Industry; construction safety; Construction sites; Drones; Female; Gestures; Human-Drone Interaction (HDI); Humans; Interactive control; Male; Middle Aged; Motion sensors; Occupational Health; Postural Balance; Risk reduction; Safety; Speech; User-Computer Interface; Virtual environments; Virtual Reality; Workers (insect caste); Young Adult; cognitive workload; Human-Drone Interaction (HDI); construction safety; balance control
• ISSN: 0014-0139; 1366-5847; 1366-5847
• DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2024.2380342

This study examines the impact of Human-Drone Interaction (HDI) modalities on construction workers' safety and balance control within virtual environments. Utilising virtual reality (VR) simulations, the study explored how gesture and speech-based communications influence workers' physical postures and balance, contrasting these modalities with a non-interactive control group. One hundred participants were recruited, and their movements and balance control were tracked using motion sensors while they interacted with virtual drones through either gesture, speech, or without communication. Results showed that interactive modalities significantly improved balance control and reduced the risk of falls, suggesting that advanced HDI can enhance safety on construction sites. However, speech-based interaction increased cognitive workload, highlighting a trade-off between physical safety and mental strain. These findings underscore the potential of integrating intuitive communication methods into construction operations, although further research is needed to optimise these interactions for long-term use and in diverse noise environments. This study examines the impact of Human-Drone Interaction (HDI) modalities on construction workers' safety and balance control within virtual environments with a human subject experiment. Results showed that interactive modalities significantly improved balance control and reduced the risk of falls.