Supervisory Control of Multiple Unmanned Vehicles: International Perspectives on Methodologies and Enabling Interface Technologies

Abstract

Unmanned vehicles (UVs) have proven to be an extremely valuable military capability. Added system automation/autonomy will change the role of the UV operator from manual controller to supervisor of, and maybe even teammate to, these highly automated systems. Continuing this trend, there is a desire across several NATO countries to explore concepts in which multiple autonomous UVs are simultaneously controlled by a single supervisor. The obvious utility of UVs, the rapid advances in associated technology, and the desire to increase operator span of control has led to the formation of a NATO Research Task Group to address the human factors challenges, methodologies, and technologies associated with single operator control of multiple UVs. This panel, consisting of prominent members of the seven country NATO group, will describe the state-of-the art in human factors related developments of multi-UV control through examples of their respective nation's research and technical demonstrations in this area. Additionally, panelists will interact with the audience and address questions centering on the rationale, methodologies, and challenges associated with multi-UV control.