System reliability, performance and trust in adaptable automation. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chavaillaz, Alain; Wastell, David; Sauer, Jürgen
• Is Part Of: Applied ergonomics. Volume 52(2016:Jan.)
• Page Start: 333
• Page End: 342
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Reliability -- Adaptable automation -- Performance -- Trust; Human engineering -- Periodicals; 620.82
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2015.07.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-6870

Abstract

Abstract: The present study examined the effects of reduced system reliability on operator performance and automation management in an adaptable automation environment. 39 operators were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups: low (60%), medium (80%), and high (100%) reliability of automation support. The support system provided five incremental levels of automation which operators could freely select according to their needs. After 3 h of training on a simulated process control task (AutoCAMS) in which the automation worked infallibly, operator performance and automation management were measured during a 2.5-h testing session. Trust and workload were also assessed through questionnaires. Results showed that although reduced system reliability resulted in lower levels of trust towards automation, there were no corresponding differences in the operators' reliance on automation. While operators showed overall a noteworthy ability to cope with automation failure, there were, however, decrements in diagnostic speed and prospective memory with lower reliability. Highlights: We examined the effects of reduced reliability levels in an adaptable automatic system. We took measures of trust, automation reliance, performance, and workload. Operator trust was affected by reduced automation reliability. Operator reliance on automation was however unaffected by reliability.