Defining the Challenges Operators Face when Controlling Multiple Unmanned Vehicles

Abstract

To achieve effective human-robot interaction (HRI) it is important to determine what types of supervisory control interfaces lead to optimal human-robot teaming. Research in HRI has demonstrated that operators controlling fewer robots against opponents of equal strength face greater challenges when control is restricted to only automation. Using human-in-the-loop evaluations of delegation-type interfaces, the present study examined the challenges and outcomes of a single operator supervising (1) more or less robots than a simulated adversary, with either a (2) flexible or restricted control interface. Testing was conducted with 12 paid participants using the RoboFlag simulation environment. Results from this experiment support past findings of execution timing deficiencies related to automation brittleness, and present new findings that indicate that successful teaming between a single human operator and a robotic team is affected by the number of robots and the type of interface.