The Embodiment Development for Drones with Different Shapes in Strategies for Navigating Through Narrow Spaces

Abstract

In this study, we investigated embodiment in drone operation. Through experiments in which operators maneuvered drones through various narrow gaps, we found that when the ratio of gap width to drone width was less than 1.3, the time taken to pass through increased and the impression of safety decreased. This similarity to human walking characteristics when passing through narrow spaces suggests the development of an embodiment towards drones. Furthermore, the results of experiments on drones using visual illusions suggest that the appearance of their shapes may influence the spatial perception of the surrounding environment and potentially enhance operating performance.