Adaptable Operator-Automation Interface for Future Unmanned Aerial Systems Control: Development of a Highly Flexible Delegation Concept Demonstration

A prototype demonstration was created to illustrate a delegation control approach for future unmanned aerial systems (UAS) applications. With the goal of being able to demonstrate a flexible, natural, multi-level architecture for UAS control, the simulation illustrates four different control modes, ranging from manual (pilot controls the vehicleu0027s flight with stick and throttle control) to high level "plays" (pilotu0027s verbal command initiates planning for a series of automated tasks). The present paper will provide a detailed description of the concept demonstration, including key hardware and software components. This demonstration was used to support an u0027operator-centeredu0027 effort that involves acquiring feedback from operators to guide interface designs for future UAS applications. Feedback obtained to date is summarized in a companion paper titled "Future Unmanned Aerial Systems Control: Feedback on Highly Flexible Operator-Automation Delegation Interface Concept."