Information transfer within human robot teams: Multimodal attention management in human-robot interaction

Human-robot teams can incorporate advanced technology such as distributed mobile sensor networks, integrated communications, visualization technology, and other means to acquire and assess information. These factors can greatly affect mission effectiveness, safety, and survivability, by providing critical information and suggesting courses of action. However, information overload can result. Tactical situation awareness (SA) can be improved if human-robot communications are prioritized according to importance and appropriateness for single or multi-sensory display. In this paradigm, the tasks of the human and robot are somewhat independent or autonomous, but complimentary. Handling the amount, frequency and transfer of information, from the robot to the user requires a careful systems approach, an understanding of the mission context, and multisensory information processing issues. This report highlights attention management issues identified during task reengagement and offers guidelines relevant to tactile cues within multisensory bidirectional human robot communications.