MapTable - A tactical command and control interface

This paper describes a novel tabletop interface, Map Table, which can be used as a tactical command and control interface. It is designed and implemented to explore more intelligent and intuitive interaction in a distributed environment that can support remote collaboration. MapTable offers a common space for planners to work, which retains the intuitive feel of a "sandbox" around which discussion can take place and plans easily displayed, whilst the automated navigation command system means that both planning and the issuing of directions can effectively be merged into a single activity using a single user interface that embeds the tasks into the interaction. Empirical studies were conducted to test this tactical interface in a remote searching task environment. Compared to the traditional desktop command and control interface, MapTable can lead to significant differences in performance. This fusion of planning, command and control means that planners can be expected have a high level of situational awareness with regard to where those they are directing are, where they will be and what others in the team are doing.