Observations on single operator performance controlling two UGVs in a field assessment

Abstract

The experimental assessment described in this paper looked at span of control within the context of a larger assessment of tactical behaviors. Span of control refers, generally, to the number and type of robotic assets an operator controls. This paper describes the span of control portion of the tactical behaviors assessment that took place at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Robotics Research Facility at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA, during the fall of 2009. Three operators controlled two unmanned ground vehicles simultaneously for a total of six runs. The assessment is briefly described. The bulk of the discussion, however, addresses experimenter observations of the assessment process gleaned from subjective ratings and post-run interviews and issues that need to be addressed to improve assessment in the future.