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Exploring relationships of human-automation interaction consequences on pilots: uncovering subsystems
Francis T Durso1, Eric J Stearman2, Daniel G Morrow3
1Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia.
Objective:
We attempted to understand the latent structure underlying the systems pilots use to operate in situations involving human-automation interaction (HAI).
Background:
HAI is an important characteristic of many modern work situations. Of course, the cognitive subsystems are not immediately apparent by observing a functioning system, but correlations between variables may reveal important relations.
Method:
The current report examined pilot judgments of 11 HAI dimensions (e.g., Workload, Task Management, Stress/Nervousness, Monitoring Automation, and Cross-Checking Automation) across 48 scenarios that required airline pilots to interact with automation on the flight deck.
Results:
We found three major clusters of the dimensions identifying subsystems on the flight deck: a workload subsystem, a management subsystem, and an awareness subsystem.
Discussion:
Relationships characterized by simple correlations cohered in ways that suggested underlying subsystems consistent with those that had previously been theorized.
Application:
Understanding the relationship among dimensions affecting HAI is an important aspect in determining how a new piece of automation designed to affect one dimension will affect other dimensions as well.
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