Testing Human-Autonomy Teaming Concepts on a Global Positioning System Interface

Abstract

The field of Human-Autonomy Teaming (HAT) aims to understand how humans and automated systems can work together to optimize performance. Tenets of HAT [13] have been established from aviation based research. The current study explored the generalizability of these tenets to the automotive navigation domain. Current Apple Maps user interface (UI) and Global Positioning System (GPS) routes were tested against HAT enhanced Apple Maps UIs and GPS routes. The HAT enhanced versions were designed to improve the communication between the human and automation regarding goal accomplishment and awareness of the automation’s processing. Participants reported the HAT enhanced UIs were a significant improvement over their current GPS systems and nearly all reported they would use the HAT enhanced UIs over their current systems. The systems were rated similarly on all other measures indicating that both systems supported their ability to understand the routes and make the necessary decisions. Data indicate a larger sample size is needed to achieve significance for some of these variables. Overall, the subjective data collected indicated preference for the HAT enhanced GPS UI lending support to the generalizability of HAT tenets to domains outside of aviation.