Task Shedding and Control Performance as a Function of Perceived Automation Reliability and Time Pressure

Abstract

Research has demonstrated that workload and past machine performance influences operator allocation of task responsibilities to machines. We extended past investigations by offering task operators the opportunity to relinquish task control to a robotic entity. Forty-three participants navigated a remotely controlled vehicle around a prescribed course under conditions of low or high time pressure. While navigating, they could allocate camera monitoring to a low-or high-reliability automated agent. Results showed most participants retained control of the camera; others relinquished control immediately. Time pressure and reliability did not interact to influence task performance. Course navigation time was faster under high time pressure but errors were unaffected. Bivariate correlations revealed a positive relation between self-ratings of robotic expertise and pressure to perform, and between pressure to perform and errors committed during navigation. These results demonstrate low levels of trust in the robotic camera and comparative sensitivity of navigation time to time pressure.

The effects of task criticality and target modality on a simulated battlefield search task

“…From the current findings, it appears that cognitive ability was not impaired when participants were subjected to a critical task. Bliss et al (2013) and Hanson et al (2014) demonstrated that manipulating task criticality influences operator performance.…”

“…Nonetheless, studying criticality is crucial to understanding battlefield behavior and understanding jobs that require operators to perform tasks in high stress situations. For the purpose of this study, "high criticality" is defined as a task that has potentially life-threatening consequences (Bliss et al, 2013;Hanson et al, 2014). A warfighter asked to locate a live bomb before it detonates (potentially threatening the lives of troops and civilians) is an example of a high criticality task.…”

“…In two similar experiments (Bliss et al, 2013;Hanson et al, 2014), task criticality was manipulated to determine the effects on operator control strategies. Bliss et al experiment in which participants were told a priori that poor performance would result in the loss of life for hypothetical team members.…”

“…Therefore, in a virtual search task, pictures of target items should have yielded faster response times than a description of the target item written in text, especially when the task was critical. According to Bliss et al (2013), Hanson et al (2014) and Kliegel et al (2004), the assigned criticality and importance of a task affects performance. From these findings, individuals were expected to perform better in a critical task involving short term memory recall.…”

“…Harris & Hancock (2005) demonstrated that performance increases initially after exposure to a critical scenario. Bliss et al (2013) and Hanson et al (2014) demonstrated that manipulating task criticality does influence operator performance.…”