A theoretical analysis and preliminary investigation of dynamically adaptive interfaces

A dynamically adaptive interface (DAI) is a computer interface that changes the display or control characteristics of a system (or both) in real time. The goal of DAIs is to anticipate informational needs or desires of the us er and provide that information without the requirement of an explicit cont rol input by the user. DAIs have the potential to improve overall human-mac hine system performance if properly designed; they also have a very real po tential to degrade performance if they are not properly designed. This arti cle explores both theoretical and practical issues in the design of DAIs. T he relation of the DAI concept to decision aiding and automation is discuss ed, and a theoretical framework for design is outlined. A preliminary inves tigation of the DAI design concept was conducted in the domain of aviation (precision, low-level navigation). Nontraditional controls (a force reflect ing stick) and displays (a configural flight director) were developed to su pport performance at the task. A standard interface (conventional controls and displays), a candidate interface (alternative controls and displays), a nd an adaptive interface (dynamically alternating between the standard and candidate displays) were evaluated. The results indicate that significant p erformance advantages in the quality of route navigation were obtained with the candidate and adaptive interfaces relative to the standard interface; no significant differences between the candidate and adaptive interfaces we re obtained. The implications of these results are discussed, with special emphasis on their relation to fundamental challenges that must be met for t he DAI concept to be a viable design alternative.