Incorporating automation: using modeling and simulation to enable task re-allocation

Models for evaluating changes in human workload as a function of task allocation between humans and automation are investigated. Specifically, SysML activity diagrams and IMPRINT workload models are developed for a tablet-based game with the ability to incorporate automation. Although a first order model could be created by removing workload associated with tasks that are allocated away from the human and to the computer, we discuss the need to improve the activity diagrams and models by capturing workload associated with communicating state information between the human and the automation. Further, these models are extended to capture additional human tasks, which permit the user to maintain situation awareness, enabling the human to monitor the robustness of the automation. Through these model extensions, it is concluded that human workload will be affected by the degree the human relies upon the automation to accurately perform its allocated tasks.