Human Factors in Unmanned Systems Case Study

The case study that was done during this course was extremely effective in promoting wider research into my chosen topic.  While I had done similar research for previous classes the case study had me dig even deeper and learn new aspects to the issue of how poor human factors design of UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) negatively effect UAS flight operations.  A significant portion of UAS accidents have human factors attributed as either a main or contributing factor.  “Studies indicate that human factors are involved in 69% of all UAS mishaps; of these, 24% of mishaps are attributed to HF/E shortfalls in ground control station (GCS) designs.” (Waraich, Mazzuchi, Sarkani, & Rico, 2013, p. 25)  This is a significant number and it may be an even greater percentage due to poor UAS accident reporting and investigation in the past.  Implementing human factors from the beginning in all aspects of UAS design is critical, but GCS design needs to take top priority.  “In 1996, the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board (AFSAB) identified the human/system interface as the greatest deficiency in current UAS designs.” (Williams, 2006, p. 1)

Not only did this case study increase my general knowledge of this issue and its potential impacts on the future development and implementation of UAS, especially in the commercial sector it also made me more aware of what is needed to fix this issue.  The case study encouraged and required a higher level of critical thinking which expanded my knowledge and understanding of this issue.  To help improve this project and to encourage greater collaboration among class members a group paper might be considered.  Having a project with greater collaboration where each member is required to prepare a section of a larger paper and has to work with their fellow classmates to fit it all together might be a good idea.  More outside the box thinking and different points of view and perspectives may be gained by this type of project.  Overall this was a very interesting and helpful project that greatly increased my knowledge of UAS human factors issues.

References

Waraich, Q. R., Mazzuchi, T. A., Sarkani, S., & Rico, D. F. (2013, January 17). Minimizing Human Factors Mishaps in Unmanned Aircraft Systems [Feature]. Ergonomics in Design: The Quarterly of Human Factors Applications.

Williams, K. W. (2006). Human Factors Implications of Unmanned Aircraft Accidents: Flight-Control Problems (DOT/FAA/AM-06/8). Retrieved from https://erau.blackboard.com/bbcswebdav/pid-15992131-dt-content-rid-77953971_4/institution/Worldwide_Online/ASCI_GR_Courses/ASCI_638/External_Links/M7_Readings_Human_Factors_Implications_of_Unmanned_Aircraft_Accidents