THE OUT-OF-THE-LOOP PERFORMANCE PROBLEM AND LEVEL OF CONTROL IN AUTOMATION

The out-of-the-loop performance problem, a major potential consequence of automation, leaves operators of automated systems handicapped in t heir ability to take over manual operations in the event of automation failure. This is attributed to a possible loss of skills and of situa tion awareness (SA) arising from vigilance and complacency problems, a shift from active to passive information processing, and change in fe edback provided to the operator. We studied the automation of a naviga tion task using an expert system and demonstrated that low SA correspo nded with out-of-the-loop performance decrements in decision time foll owing a failure of the expert system. Level of operator control in int eracting with automation is a major factor in moderating this loss of SA. Results indicated that the shift from active to passive processing was most likely responsible for decreased SA under automated conditio ns.