Problem: The task of re-planning UAVs during a mission requires operators to comprehend three-dimensional (3D) objects and scenes, and a multitude of 3D competing constraints, and to assess the implications of course changes, often under significant time pressure.

Current UAV operator displays are limited in their ability to convey the 3D spatial awareness necessary to perform re-planning.

Solution: Conducting a requirements analysis with Navy UAV operators, we developed a synthetic task environment to study re-planning, and developed a testbed with a battery of re-planning scenarios to demonstrate and evaluate novel interventions to support re-planning. MIT is separately funded to collaborate on this project with supervisory control notions of path planning algorithms.

Impact: The research, design, and validation of advanced visualizations and tools to support effective UAV re-planning will be performed by the combination of Pacific Science & Engineering Group’s expertise in the human factors of 3D visualizations with MIT’s expertise in the human supervisory control of automation.

View or Download the report in PDF format

• Cook, Smallman: When Plans Change: Task Analysis with Navy UAV Operators
• Cook, Smallman, Lacson, Manes: A Synthetic Task Environment to Study Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Re-Planning