Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2009

City

Dayton

Abstract

The use of robots in aviation is widespread, for use as targets, decoys, remote sensing, reconnaissance, and increasingly for combat missions. Robots come in all forms and capabilities, from handheld micro air vehicles to hypersonic versions capable of high altitude long distance missions. At the same time, ground-based robots have proven effective for both military and civilian applications such as manufacturing and remote sensing / manipulations. Certainly, Talon and Packbot robots have proven their worth in battle conditions. Just as there is great variance in the type of robot being developed and utilized, so too is there tremendous variation operator requirements. Thus, it is essential the individual possess the requisite knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics to do so. Our work specifies the requirements for a prototypical robot operator through an examination of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration’s Occupational Information Network (O*NET). The applicable aviation occupations include UAV operations and also many other robots used in the aviation domain. Results yield the following for operator characteristics. Knowledge: The high frequency types are mechanical, production and processing, computers and electronics. Skills: high language component with high active learning, active listening and reading comprehension, critical thinking and mathematics. Abilities: Seven specific types cognitive ability are deemed important: problem sensitivity, information ordering, oral comprehension, deductive reasoning, oral expression, inductive reasoning, and written comprehension. Our paper documents the full operator profile that can be used for a variety of purposes including selection, training, and human factors design and specifications.

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