The influence of team size and communication modality on team effectiveness with unmanned systems

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual

2012

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In this paper, we examine the influence of autonomy and cognitive ability on workload in unmanned systems. First, we outline prior research regarding the role of autonomy and operator selection in decreasing workload in the realm of human-robot interaction. Next, we discuss two aspects of cognitive ability (i.e., visualization and perceptual speed) explain differences between these constructs, and their influence on workload. Then, we describe the current study and discuss the effects of varying levels of autonomy, visualization, and perceptual speed on workload in a simulated reconnaissance mission. Finally, we explore the implications of our findings in terms of the influence of autonomy and operator selection and provide suggestions for future research.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 57%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of Autonomy and Cognitive Abilities on Workload and Supervisory Control of Unmanned Systems

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual

2012

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“…All participants had normal or corrected vision, and four participants reported prior military experience. This study provides a supplemental analysis to previous data reported (Fincannon, Evans, Phillips, Jentsch, & Keebler, 2009) illustrating that performance was optimal with teams of three.…”

Section: Methods Participantsmentioning

confidence: 87%

“…Upon entering the study, participants were asked to complete an informed consent and pretesting with Part 5 of the Guilford-Zimmerman aptitude survey (boat test), a widely acknowledged measure of spatial ability (Carroll, 1993;Diaz & Sims, 2003;Fincannon, Evans, Phillips, Jentsch, & Keebler, 2009;Lohman, 1988;Rehfeld, 2006). This pretesting was followed by approximately 2 hours of training and practice, followed by a 10-minute break.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indexing Spatial Ability Across Team Size: The Influence of the Weakest Link, Strongest Link, and Aggregate Ability on Performance with Multiple Unmanned Systems

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual

2011

This study compared the effects of indexing individual differences in spatial ability and team size on performance with unmanned systems. The methods of indexing team spatial ability included measure of (a) the effects of the aggregate (mean), (b) the member that is the strongest link (has the maximum ability), and (c) the member that is the weakest link (has the minimum ability). These methods were considered in relation to the effects of team size. Results indicated that the method of indexing can moderate the strength of the relationship between spatial ability and performance. Interestingly, the impact of team size on a decision making task was moderated by spatial ability of the strongest link. Furthermore, the strongest link was also a greater predictor of reconnaissance than team size. Implications of these findings are discussed.

“…Within this domain, researchers are particularly interested in the human-to-robot ratio, which is understood as the ratio of human operators to vehicles that is necessary for UV operation. Here, the goal is to have a single operator controlling multiple UV, but research has typically illustrated that performance is optimized by increasing the number of operators (Burke & Murphy, 2004;Fincannon, Evans, Phillips, Jentsch, & Keebler, 2009;Rehfeld, Jentsch, Curtis, & Fincannon, 2005;Woods, Tittle, Feil, & Roesler, 2004) or decreasing the number of vehicles (Chadwick, 2006). While further research will help increase the overall understanding of this relationship, researchers have identified factors that both help and hinder performance, and the current body of literature can still be leveraged to form recommendations for improving UV operations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Best Practices in Human Operation of Robotic/Unmanned Vehicles

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual

et al. 2013

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The purpose of this work is to review research in the domain of unmanned vehicle (UV) operations and to provide recommendations regarding the human-to-robot ratio for optimal performance. This begins with a discussion of how remote perception, multitasking, and workload can contribute to the difficulty of performing UV operations. Then, recommendations are provided in order to address three different aspects of the human-to-robot ratio: (a) human-centric factors, (b) robot-centric factors, and (c) collaborative human-robot factors. These recommendations begin by focusing on a team of high-ability operators that execute role-specific behaviors, and processes are supported by systems that are designed to support appropriate coordination. Additional UVs should be added with the intention of increasing unique capabilities and reliable autonomy. Finally, recommendations address methods collaboration that work within the perceptual limitation of humans and UVs.