Neuro-Physiologically-Driven Adaptive Automation to Improve Decision Making Under Stress

Abstract

The advent of netted communications and a wide array of battlefield sensors is enabling real-time information streaming and asset management. However, the burden of information management is placed solely on the receiver of the information. Honeywell Laboratories developed a Communications Scheduler (CoS), an adaptive information management system for the dismounted Soldier, driven by an assessment of the individual's current cognitive capacity to process incoming information, in order to improve decision making under high task load conditions. An evaluation was conducted to demonstrate whether cognitive capacity to perform under differing task loads could be detected using neuro-physiological sensors and then if the adaptive automation would appropriately regulate information flow. Results revealed an improvement in primary task performance, no degradation in concurrent secondary tasks, and lower subjective workload ratings while performing cognitively challenging working memory tasks with the CoS, although a slight loss in situation awareness of lower priority message was found. The appropriate allocation of cognitive resources is key to managing multiple tasks, focusing on the most important ones, and maintaining overall situation awareness.