Smart built-in test

The work which built-in test (BIT) is asked to perform in today's electronic systems increases with every insertion of new technology or introduction of tighter performance criteria. Yet the basic purpose remains unchanged -- to determine with high confidence the operational capability of that equipment. Achievement of this level of BIT performance requires the management and assimilation of a large amount of data, both realtime and historical. Smart BIT has taken advantage of advanced techniques from the field of artificial intelligence (AI) in order to meet these demands. The Smart BIT approach enhances traditional functional BIT by utilizing AI techniques to incorporate environmental stress data, temporal BIT information and maintenance data, and realtime BIT reports into an integrated test methodology for increased BIT effectiveness and confidence levels. Future research in this area will incorporate onboard fault-logging of BIT output, stress data and Smart BIT decision criteria in support of a singular, integrated and complete test and maintenance capability. The state of this research is described along with a discussion of directions for future development

Human-Autonomy Teaming - an Evolving Interaction Paradigm: Teaming and Automation

Intelligent and complex systems are becoming common in our workplace and our homes, providing direct assistance in transport, health and education domains. In many instances the nature of these systems are somewhat ubiquitous, and influence the manner in which we make decisions. Traditionally we understand the benefits of how humans work within teams, and the associated pitfalls and costs when this team fails to work. However, we can view the autonomous agent as a synthetic partner emerging in roles that have traditionally been the bastion of the human alone. Within these new Human-Autonomy Teams we can witness different levels of automation and decision support held within a clear hierarchy of tasks and goals. However, when we start examining the nature of more autonomous systems and software agents we see a partnership that can suggest different constructs of authority depending on the context of the task. This may vary in terms of whether the human or agent is leading the team in order to achieve a goal. This paper examines the nature of HAT composition whilst examining the application of this in aviation and how trust in such stystems can be assessed

UAV Operator mental workload:A neurophysiological comparison of mental workload and vigilance

Human Factors can offer insights into the nature of human performance across many different domains. The steady increase of unmanned systems presents not only a unique challenge in terms of defining the nature of human-system interaction, but also the demand for providing decision support systems to assist the human operate multiple of these systems, or indeed operate beyond line of visual sight. The nature of cognitive performance can involve a high degree of complexity and in many instances result in disagreement over what it is that is actually being measured. The main cognitive processes that tend to be discussed in terms of operating UAVs tends to focus on mental workload and situation awareness. However, other constructs, such as vigilance, may be considered as important when we examine the task of commanding a UAV – more so when a single operator is supervising multiple UAVs. This paper presents the findings of a study whereby participants were asked to perform tasks involving the control of a UAV. Neurophysiological assessment was carried out by application of functional near infra-red spectroscopy, and results are discussed in relation to how this technique can provide insight into higher cognitive functions related to UAV operator state

The Visual Categorization of Production Automotive Seats on Descriptors of Comfort

Background: The role of appearance of automotive seats on perceived comfort and comfort expectancy has been acknowledged in previous research but it has not been investigated in depth. Objective: To identify the effects of the appearance of production automotive seats, based on the hypothesis that visual design differentiations are affective in creating comfort expectations. The significance of the descriptors Sporty, Luxurious and Comfortable and the associated visual design attributes was of interest. Method: Images from 38 automotive production seats were used in an image-based card sorting app (qCard) with a total of 24 participants. Participants were asked to categorize the different seat designs varying from 1: least, to 9: most for all three descriptors. The resulting data was analyzed using hierarchical clustering analysis. Results: The results indicated that the perceived Sporty, Luxurious and Comfortable were descriptor items that significantly differentiated seats with certain design attributes. It was found that for the Sporty perception the integrated headrest design and angular shapes were key. On the other hand, the Comfort perception was characterised by seating with a separate headrest and rounded seat back/cushion shapes. Conclusions: For seat design processes, the method enables a practical way to identify elements conveying Sporty, Comfortable and Luxurious perception

Nursing Personnel Employment Patterns in Iowa’s Health Care Facilities

The purpose of this study was to determine the current and projected staffing patterns for nursing personnel in Iowa’s hospitals and long term care facilities. Questionnaires were mailed to all hospitals and long term care facilities licensed in Iowa. Current information about employment trends for licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, nurse aides/orderlies, and medication aides was obtained to serve as a basis for planning and to provide current information to counselors, potential students, and the public. The findings of this study are in agreement with the Report of the 1986 National Hospital Nursing Supply Survey as well as other recent reports that reveal our health care delivery system again faces a shortage of nursing personnel