Intelligent Adaptive Interface: A Design Tool for Enhancing Human-Machine System Performances

Intelligent Adaptive Interface (IAI) is a design tool that guides the development of an operator interface in enhancing human-machine system performance. With a set of design principles, this paper introduces the concept of IAI and its design framework, which include methodologies for developing various systems including operator interfaces. These methodologies are demonstrated in a case study where IAI framework was used in various design processes: mission scenario analysis, IAI function, task and goal analyses, identification of IAI agents, design of IAI components in a task network model for simulations, and implementation and evaluation of IAI prototypes. The efficacy of IAI was investigated in the context of controlling multiple Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). This case study proved that IAI framework and the associated design principles are effective in guiding the design of an operator interface. These principles are being applied in the development of an operator interface for the control of extremely agile micro-aerial vehicle employed in urban operations. They will be further used to guide the design of multi-modal operator interfaces for the control of UAV swarming. Additionally, these applications will provide empirical evidence to validate IAI design principles and thus enhance the robustness of this design tool.