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Measured effects of workload and auditory feedback on remote pilot task performance
Matthew J M Dunn1, Brett R C Molesworth1, Tay Koo1
1School of Aviation, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Ergonomics
|November 8, 2021
Summary
Auditory feedback aids remote pilots
Area of Science:
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Aerospace Engineering
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Remote pilots operating aircraft beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) lack sensory cues vital for safe flight.
- Reduced sensory information increases reliance on automated systems and external feedback.
- Understanding human factors in BVLOS operations is critical for safety and efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of real-time auditory feedback on remote pilot performance.
- To examine how varying workload levels (Low, Moderate, High) interact with auditory feedback.
- To assess effects on perception and decision-making tasks in automated BVLOS flight.
Main Methods:
- 36 participants performed automated BVLOS flight tasks.
- Auditory feedback was provided in real-time.
- Tasks were conducted under three distinct workload conditions.
- Perception and decision-making task performance metrics were recorded.
Main Results:
- Workload and auditory feedback affected perception errors, with more misses than wrong identifications.
- Auditory feedback improved decision-making under low and moderate workloads.
- Under high workloads, auditory feedback impaired decision-making performance.
- Results align with the Arousal and Maximal Adaptability theory.
Conclusions:
- Auditory feedback has a complex, workload-dependent effect on remote pilot performance.
- Optimizing auditory feedback requires consideration of task demands and stress levels.
- Findings inform the design of human-machine interfaces for remote aviation systems.
