A Guide for Developing Human-Robot Interaction Experiments in the Robotic Interactive Visualization and Experimentation Technology (RIVET) Simulation

Using computer gaming technology to improve the interaction between humans and unmanned ground vehicles.

Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland

ARL's Intelligent Systems Enterprise vision is to enable the teaming of autonomous intelligent systems with soldiers in dynamic, unstructured combat environments, as well as in noncombat military installations and base operations. To accomplish this vision for interdependent soldier-robot teaming, there has been a paradigm shift in robotic research conducted by ARL from the current instantiation of fielded remote-controlled or teleoperated robots to systems with increased intelligence, decision-making capability, and autonomy. This type of teaming is needed for future joint, interdependent, network-enabled operations.

While the technological capabilities of robotic systems are advancing by the day, many of these new systems are still in the early stages of research and development. In many cases, areas of need or potential use have been identified, preliminary requirements have been created, and engineering solutions for prototype systems have been researched. However, the human element must be considered early on in this design process, because without considering human factors, such as human-system interfaces, performance, as well as trust and expectation, the potential result will be limited or inappropriate use of the system.