The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in aviation necessitates more research into human-autonomy teaming in these domain settings. This paper describes the development of a design framework for supporting Human Factors novices in considering human factors, improving human-autonomy collaboration, and maintaining safety when developing AI tools for aviation settings. Combining elements of Hierarchical Task Analysis, Coactive Design, and Types and Levels of Autonomy, the design framework provides guidance in three phases: modelling and understanding the existing system and associated tasks; producing a new function allocation for optimal Human-Autonomy Teaming (HAT); and assessing HAT-related risks of the proposed design. In this framework, designers generate a comprehensive set of design considerations to support subsequent development processes. Framework limitations and future research avenues are discussed. 

In search and rescue (SAR) operations, drones can provide clear and timely situational overview data and object identification. However, the current one-to-one relationship between operators and drones limits scalability. Swarm solutions have been proposed to overcome this limitation, but there are few examples of control concepts for SAR operations. Human-swarm interaction (HSI) presents new challenges in terms of task design, control loops, communication, and managing uncertainty. We present an exploratory study of integrating drone swarms into SAR organizations, with a focus on challenges and opportunities for HSI. Our findings highlight the need for a holistic approach to drone swarm systems design, development, and integration. Careful system and task design is vital to reduce operator workload, maximize situational awareness, and maintaining effective communication among SAR team members. Building trust through technology exposure and training is also important. We identify several key research avenues, including adaptive and intelligent swarm control mechanisms, trust dynamics between operators and swarms, participatory design work, legal and operational frameworks, and the organizational impact of drone swarm integration. Overall, this paper contributes to HSI and SAR research by addressing research gaps concerning the integration effects and constraints of drone swarms in current work settings. The study highlights the potential for implementing drone swarms in semi-voluntary SAR organizations, while emphasizing the importance of considering the tasks and interactions between humans and drones when assessing overall system performance. 

Automated mobility services have the potential to improve the mobility of vulnerable user groups, but run the risk of excluding them if their needs are not considered. The specific requirements of vulnerable user groups for automated mobility services have been underrepresented in the development process of these services so far. Through quantitative and qualitative research, the CATAPULT project analysed user needs and requirements of children, senior citizens and people with impairments. Initial results suggest not only focusing on the vehicle itself, but considering all aspects of a journey to ensure the inclusivity and accessibility of automated mobility services, is crucial. Safety, responsibility, information provision and accessible design are important issues for our target groups. A Serious Game was designed to facilitate the dialogue between mobility providers and user groups

Future Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are projected to fly and operate in swarms. The swarm metaphor makes explicit and implicit mappings regarding system architecture and human interaction to aspects of natural systems, such as bee societies. Compared to the metaphor of a team, swarming agents as individuals are less capable, more expendable, and more limited in terms of communication and coordination. Given their different features and limitations, the two metaphors could be useful in different scenarios. We also discuss a choir metaphor and illustrate how it can give rise to different design concepts. We conclude that designers and engineers should be mindful of the metaphors they use because they influence—and limit—how to think about and design for multi-UAV systems. © 2021, The Author(s)

Swarms of autonomous and coordinating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are rapidly being developed to enable simultaneous control of multiple UAVs. In the field of Human-Swarm Interaction (HSI), researchers develop and study swarm algorithms and various means of control and evaluate their cognitive and task performance. There is, however, a lack of research describing how UAV swarms will fit into future real-world domain contexts. To remedy this, this paper describes a case study conducted within the community of firefighters, more precisely two Swedish fire departments that regularly deploy UAVs in fire responses. Based on an initial description of how their UAVs are used in a forest firefighting context, participating UAV operators and unit commanders envisioned a scenario that showed how the swarm and its capabilities could be utilized given the constraints and requirements of a forest firefighting mission. Based on this swarm scenario description we developed a swarm interaction model that describes how the operators' interaction traverses multiple levels ranging from the entire swarm, via subswarms and individual UAVs, to specific sensors and equipment carried by the UAVs. The results suggest that human-in-the-loop simulation studies need to enable interaction across multiple swarm levels as this interaction may exert additional cognitive strain on the human operator.