A Study of Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Learnability for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Command and Control

The operation of sophisticated unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) involves complex interactions between human and machine. Unlike other areas of aviation where technological advancement has flourished to accommodate the modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS), the scientific paradigm of UAS and UAS user interface design has received little research attention and minimal effort has been made to aggregate accurate data to assess the effectiveness of current UAS human-machine interface (HMI) representations for command and control. UAS HMI usability is a primary human factors concern as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) moves forward with the full-scale integration of UAS in the NAS by 2025. This study examined system learnability of an industry standard UAS HMI as minimal usability data exists to support the state-of-the art for new and innovative command and control user interface designs. This study collected data as it pertained to the three classes of objective usability measures as prescribed by the ISO 9241-11. The three classes included: (1) effectiveness, (2) efficiency, and (3) satisfaction. Data collected for the dependent variables incorporated methods of video and audio recordings, a time stamped simulator data log, and the SUS survey instrument on forty-five participants with none to varying levels of conventional flight experience (i.e., private pilot and commercial pilot). The results of the study suggested that those individuals with a high level of conventional flight experience (i.e., commercial pilot certificate) performed most effectively when compared to participants with low pilot or no pilot experience. The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) computations for completion rates revealed statistical significance for trial three between subjects [F (2, 42) = 3.98, p = 0.02]. Post hoc t-test using a Bonferroni correction revealed statistical significance in completion rates [t (28) = -2.92, p\u3c0.01] between the low pilot experience group (M = 40%, SD =. 50) and high experience group (M = 86%, SD = .39). An evaluation of error rates in parallel with the completion rates for trial three also indicated that the high pilot experience group committed less errors (M = 2.44, SD = 3.9) during their third iteration when compared to the low pilot experience group (M = 9.53, SD = 12.63) for the same trial iteration. Overall, the high pilot experience group (M = 86%, SD = .39) performed better than both the no pilot experience group (M = 66%, SD = .48) and low pilot experience group (M = 40%, SD =.50) with regard to task success and the number of errors committed. Data collected using the SUS measured an overall composite SUS score (M = 67.3, SD = 21.0) for the representative HMI. The subscale scores for usability and learnability were 69.0 and 60.8, respectively. This study addressed a critical need for future research in the domain of UAS user interface designs and operator requirements as the industry is experiencing revolutionary growth at a very rapid rate. The deficiency in legislation to guide the scientific paradigm of UAS has generated significant discord within the industry leaving many facets associated with the teleportation of these systems in dire need of research attention. Recommendations for future work included a need to: (1) establish comprehensive guidelines and standards for airworthiness certification for the design and development of UAS and UAS HMI for command and control, (2) establish comprehensive guidelines to classify the complexity associated with UAS systems design, (3) investigate mechanisms to develop comprehensive guidelines and regulations to guide UAS operator training, (4) develop methods to optimize UAS interface design through automation integration and adaptive display technologies, and (5) adopt methods and metrics to evaluate human-machine interface related to UAS applications for system usability and system learnability

Vanier LaunchBox: Bringing Innovation to Students

Comprend des références bibliographiquesVanier Academic Voices, Vol.1, Issue 1, January 201

A Study of Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Learnability for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Command and Control

The operation of sophisticated unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) involves complex interactions between human and machine. Unlike other areas of aviation where technological advancement has flourished to accommodate the modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS), the scientific paradigm of UAS user interface design has received little research attention. This study examined system learnability of an industry standard UAS HMI as minimal usability data exists to support the state-of-the art for innovative command and control user interface designs. Data collected pertained to the three classes of objective usability measures as prescribed by the ISO 9241-11. The three classes included: (1) effectiveness, (2) efficiency, and (3) satisfaction. The System Usability Scale (SUS) survey instrument was also incorporated in a post-hoc fashion across forty-five participants with none to varying levels of conventional flight experience. The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) computations for completion rates revealed statistical significance for trial three between subjects [F (2, 42) = 3.98, p = 0.02]. Post hoc t-test using a Bonferroni correction revealed statistical significance in completion rates [t (28) = -2.92,

The Use of Simulation to Train Complex Unmanned Aircraft Systems Command and Control Tasks

The National Airspace System (NAS) is undergoing a significant process of evolutionary change to maintain stride with new aircraft technologies and the increased traffic demands projected to occur by the year 2025. The expansion and modernization of the NAS requires new methods to manage and monitor the increased air traffic demands, the impact on airport capacity, increased workload associated with air traffic controllers, and the potential for full-scale integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Most often, the term unmanned aircraft is misunderstood. There is the notion the human operator is removed from the flight control loop. In fact, the human operator is a critical element albeit the operator and air vehicle are not co-located. The operation of UAS imposes many challenges including: deprivation of sensory cueing, latency in command and response loops, lag in communications and difficulty in attaining adequate situational awareness of the flight environment. Therefore, operator selection and training is considered a complex issue as an elevated level of variability exists with UAS operations, interface, and vehicle design. This presents significant discord as to how UAS operators should be trained. Further, training in the live task environment promotes significant safety concerns. Therefore, the use of high fidelity simulators may offer significant training benefits. The ability to simulate real world experiences and expose learners to complexities could serve as a mechanism to stimulate underlying psychological processes required for incremental knowledge construction and psychomotor skill acquisition

An Investigation into the Effect of the Shell on SALM Processed Parts

Shell Assisted Layer Manufacturing (SALM) is a novel process for rapid prototyping/ tooling/ manufacture (RP/RT/RM) which is presently undergoing feasibility studies. SALM is based on layered manufacturing technology (LMT). Initially it develops the shell (boundaries) of a selected layer using a technique similar to fused deposition modelling (FDM). The developed shell is filled with a UV curable resin and is exposed to UV radiation for curing. This procedure is repeated until the complete part is built. This paper compares and contrasts properties of parts made using two options available with the SALM technique: building the part using a soluble shell (FDM support structure material, finally dissolved to recover the part); or using a polymer material such as ABS that is bonded with the resin whilst making the part.Mechanical Engineerin

Implementing Immersive Virtual Reality in an Aviation/Aerospace Teaching and Learning Paradigm

The ubiquity of computing technology has revolutionized the workplace and has also had a significant impact on education. The use of interactive simulations based on virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) has gained wide acceptance and become a prominent mechanism for learning to occur. Interactive simulations may afford unique learning advantages revealed as effective knowledge retention and skill transfer when information is presented using multi-modal sensory approach. The goal of VR is to create an environment that mimics real world complexities; one that offers comparable stimuli in the virtual environment (VE) to elicit cognitive and psychomotor behavior in the learner, similar to those elicited when performing the same function in the live-task environment. To be effective, practitioners must understand the fundamental elements of cognition and knowledge construction. VE designs must be grounded in theoretical learning constructs to accentuate the cognitive learning process. As part of a cooperative research project within the College of Aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida, we present our research in developing a highly-immersive, state-of-the-art VR laboratory to train students on complex flight aviation and maintenance related tasks. Development for VR applications is underway as a proof of concept test bed. The lab also supports an F/A-18 Hornet VR part-task trainer that simulates the aerial refueling process; a Head Mounted Display (HMD) enhances fidelity and training realism. Spaceflight Operations students regularly utilize a VR experience of the International Space Station (ISS), Mission ISS, to explore spaceflight concepts often reserved for astronauts

Hybrid-aligned nematic liquid-crystal modulators fabricated on VLSI circuits

A new method for fabricating analog light modulators on VLSI devices is described. The process is fully compatible with devices fabricated by commercial VLSI foundries, and the assembly of the modulator structures requires a small number of simple processing steps. The modulators are capable of analog amplitude or phase modulation and can operate at video rates and at low voltages (2.2 V). The modulation mechanism and the process yielding the modulator structures are described. Experimental data are presented

Building Evidence the Federal Aviation Administration\u27s UAS Safety Strategy Needs Improvement

The growth of unmanned aircraft operations within the National Airspace System (NAS) reveal an uptick of alarming safety indicators that suggest unmanned aircraft system (UAS) regulatory policy may require adjustment. Recent reports of aircraft collisions with UAS, an increase in pilot-reported near-misses, and research findings that indicate UAS platforms are capable of causing structural damage to aircraft suggest safe and effective UAS integration may not be proceeding as planned. The authors examine several safety indicators within the context of Heinrich’s Triangle to reveal the UAS industry’s susceptibility to evolving safety-related problems

(Post-)Koloniale Erinnerungen in der Presse: der Völkermord in Deutsch-Südwestafrika in deutschen und namibischen Zeitungen

Der Völkermord in der Kolonie Deutsch-Südwestafrika stellt bislang gültiges kulturelles Wissen über die deutsche und die namibische Vergangenheit in Frage – was vor allem in den aktuellen Debatten um Kolonialdenkmäler und Straßennamen in beiden Ländern zum Ausdruck kommt. Eingerahmt durch die erste deutsche Entschuldigung 2004 und die Klage der betroffenen Gruppen 2017 untersucht diese Arbeit die Produktion des Völkermordes im deutschen und namibischen kulturellen Gedächtnis durch journalistische Berichterstattung. Dabei soll beantwortet werden, anhand welcher diskursiven Regeln Journalismus den Völkermord in der verwobenen Erinnerungskultur beider Länder konstruiert. Mit einer kategoriengeleiteten qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse werden 142 Artikel in deutschen und namibischen Zeitungen analysiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Journalismus dieses Thema weiterhin oft als historisches oder exotisches Interessensthema konstruiert. Dabei werden häufig koloniale Wissenshorizonte und Vorstellungen transportiert, selbst enn Kolonialismus fast ausnahmslos kritisch betrachtet wird. Die eigene Identität wird dabei durch Kontrast zum abnormalen Völkermord gestärkt und so das Ereignis von der kollektiven Selbstkonstruktion ausgeklammert. Gleichzeitig wird eine transnationale Verstrickung des Diskurses in der prominenten Sprecherschaft von deutschsprachigen Wissenschaftler*innen sichtbar, die den Erinnerungsdiskurs maßgeblich prägen

A Review of Structural Health Monitoring Techniques as Applied to Composite Structures.

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is the process of collecting, interpreting, and analysing data from structures in order to determine its health status and the remaining life span. Composite materials have been extensively use in recent years in several industries with the aim at reducing the total weight of structures while improving their mechanical properties. However, composite materials are prone to develop damage when subjected to low to medium impacts (ie 1 – 10 m/s and 11 – 30 m/s respectively). Hence, the need to use SHM techniques to detect damage at the incipient initiation in composite materials is of high importance. Despite the availability of several SHM methods for the damage identification in composite structures, no single technique has proven suitable for all circumstances. Therefore, this paper offers some updated guidelines for the users of composites on some of the recent advances in SHM applied to composite structures; also, most of the studies reported in the literature seem to have concentrated on the flat composite plates and reinforced with synthetic fibre. There are relatively fewer stories on other structural configurations such as single or double curve structures and hybridised composites reinforced with natural and synthetic fibres as regards SHM