Microcomputer Human Operator Simulator (HOS-IV)

Abstract

This paper describes the 4th-generation model of the Human Operator Simulator (HOS-IV) as implemented on an IBM PC AT microcomputer. HOS is a general purpose simulation tool for modeling the cognitive, perceptual, and motor activities of an operator who is performing a set of tasks during the course of a mission. HOS provides the capability to model the hardware system and the external environment which impact operator workload and system performance. Discussed are the new features of HOS-IV including the user-oriented interface, knowledge representation scheme, and enhanced modeling capabilities.

Human Performance Models for Computer-Aided Engineering

“…The characteristics of task selection on the basis of expected utilities and costs also lie at the core of the concurrent performance assumptions made by many of the predictive models of complex task performance (Pew, Baron, Feehrer, and Miller, 1977), such as the human operator simulator (HOS) (Harris, Iavecchia, Ross, and Shaffer, 1987;Strieb, Lane, Glenn, and Wherry, 1981;Wherry, 1976), SAINT' (Laughery, Drews, and Archer, 1986;Wortman, Duket, Seifert, Hann, and Chubb, 1978;), PROCRU (Zacharias, Baron, and Muralidharan,1981), STALL (saturation of tactical aviator load limits; Chubb, Stodolsky, Fleming, and Hassoun, 1987), and those models developed by Siegel and Wolf (1969), , Chu and Rouse (1979), and Tulga and Sheridan (1980). Essentially these models assume that when two (or more) tasks compete for attention (call for completion at the same time), an algorithm assesses the order in which the tasks are to be performed.…”

“…Essentially these models assume that when two (or more) tasks compete for attention (call for completion at the same time), an algorithm assesses the order in which the tasks are to be performed. This algorithm is based on user-defined priorities (HOS; Harris et al, 1987), on computation of expected costs of ignoring those activities not immediately performed and expected benefits of undertaking the action that is highest in the priority sequence (PROCRU; Zacharias et al, 1981), or on the application of strategy-driven decision rules 'SAINT is not actually a model of complex task performance but rather a structured programming language that allows user-defined task sequences to be played out. and the differing degrees of competition fostered by greater or lesser similarity between tasks.…”

“…The HOS model is currently being revised (Harris et al, 1987), and the revision, which will be available in a user-friendly microcomp-.Aer form, explicitly allows parallel processing of acti\: ties. Thus, for example, the model allows the operator to reach while scanning or to encode while controlling.…”