Use of the RoboFlag synthetic task environment to investigate workload and stress responses in UAV operation

Abstract

Use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is an increasingly important element of military missions. However, controlling UAVs may impose high stress and workload on the operator. This study evaluated the use of the RoboFlag simulated environment as a means for profiling multiple dimensions of stress and workload response to a task requiring control of multiple vehicles (robots). It tested the effects of two workload manipulations, environmental uncertainty (i.e., UAV's visual view area) and maneuverability, in 64 participants. The findings confirmed that the task produced substantial workload and elevated distress. Dissociations between the stress and performance effects of the manipulations confirmed the utility of a multivariate approach to assessment. Contrary to expectations, distress and some aspects of workload were highest in the low-uncertainty condition, suggesting that overload of information may be an issue for UAV interface designers. The strengths and limitations of RoboFlag as a methodology for investigating stress and workload responses are discussed.

Personality, Stress and Resilience

“…Excessive trust may be stress-reducing in the short-term, but liable to elicit stress response after a time delay, as the consequences of undetected machine failures become apparent (an example of the T 2 SO perspective). Similarly, interface features such as displays that are hard to interpret, unresponsive controls, and lack of critical information are domain-specific stressors (e.g., Guznov, Matthews, Funke, & Dukes, 2011).…”

Multidimensional Profiling of Task Stress States for Human Factors

“…Within specific task environments, we can also examine moderator effects of task parameters. For example, the stress profile is influenced by manipulations of uncertainty and robot maneuverability (Guznov, Matthews, Funke, & Dukes, 2011) and by positive versus negative feedback messages referring to the quality of operator performance (Kustubayeva et al, 2012). As a further example, Szalma and Teo (2012) showed that increasing the number of displays to be monitored systematically increased distress and reduced worry.…”

Die neue Qualität in der Fliegerei – Unbemannte Luftfahrzeuge (UAV) – Psychologischen Belastungen von militärischen Drohnenoperateuren vorbeugen

“…Auch wenn die Fernsteuerung solcher Maschinen die Gewähr für das physische Wohlbefinden des Operateurs darstellt, sind diese einem enorm hohen mentalen Druck unterlegen [13,26]. Es gehört zu ihren Aufgaben, Flugbahnen zu kontrollieren, Risiken einzuschätzen und Waffen gezielt einzusetzen [26].…”

“…Auch wenn die Fernsteuerung solcher Maschinen die Gewähr für das physische Wohlbefinden des Operateurs darstellt, sind diese einem enorm hohen mentalen Druck unterlegen [13,26]. Es gehört zu ihren Aufgaben, Flugbahnen zu kontrollieren, Risiken einzuschätzen und Waffen gezielt einzusetzen [26]. So gehört es für Piloten der United States Air Force (USAF) zu ihrem gewohnten Alltag, feindliche Objekte über eine bestimmte Zeit hinweg zu verfolgen, anzuvisieren und schlussendlich zu zerstören [13].…”