Human Factors of Remotely Operated Vehicles

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The terms 'unmanned' or 'uninhabited' are misleading when referring to remotely operated vehicles, particularly Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Numerous personnel are involved on the ground, from operators at control stations to those coordinating multiple UAVs in air operations centers. The complexity of remote vehicle operations is often underestimated, as it encompasses intricate tasks beyond simple navigation, including remote camera operations, data collection, and weaponry management. Trends in both military and civilian sectors, such as reduced staffing and increased vehicle numbers, highlight significant human factors challenges. For instance, integrating UAVs with manned aircraft in national airspace presents numerous human factors issues. While these vehicles may be termed unmanned, they are certainly not unoperated or uncontrolled; the human role is crucial and raises various research and design concerns, including multiple vehicle control and adaptive automation. This book aims to address the vital human factors associated with remotely operated vehicles and showcase cutting-edge human-centered research and design that addresses these challenges, emphasizing the importance of human components over the vehicle technology that often dominates discussions.