Using functional near infrared spectroscopy to assess cognitive performance of UAV sensor operators during route scanning

Armstrong, J, Izzetoglu, K and Richards, D ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7176-0440, 2020. Using functional near infrared spectroscopy to assess cognitive performance of UAV sensor operators during route scanning. In: Saggio, G, Gamboa, H, Fred, A and Bermúdez i Badia, S, eds., Proceedings of the 11th International Joint Conference on Biomedical Engineering Systems and Technologies. Setúbal, Portugal: SciTePress, pp. 286-293. ISBN 9789897582790

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Abstract

The composition of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) crew will sometimes define roles specific to tasks associated with the Ground Control Station (GCS). The sensor operator task is specific to both the type of platform and GCS they are operating, but in many instances the role of this operator is critical in determining mission success. In order to assess mission effectiveness we applied human performance measures that focussed on neurological brain imaging techniques and other physiological biomarkers in conjunction with behavioral data acquired from the sensor operator task. In the execution of the experiment, this included such tasks as route scanning, target detection and positive identification, and the tracking of identified targets. Within the scope of this paper, we reported the preliminary results for the route scanning task. Over the duration of three trials brain activity measures from the prefrontal cortex region were acquired via functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in this research study. As the trials progressed, there was a significant difference between low and high performers on the route scanning task as determined by specific biomarkers, namely oxygenated haemoglobin. These findings support previous studies and indicates the benefits of applying neurophysiological measures in order to gain further objective insight into human cognitive performance. The use of fNIRS in this context is also discussed in terms of providing a key benefit in dynamically evaluating human performance in parallel with personalized training for UAV operators.

Item Type:	Chapter in book
Description:	Paper presented at the Special Session on Assessing Human Cognitive State in Real-World Environments, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, 19-21 Jan 2018.
Creators:	Armstrong, J., Izzetoglu, K. and Richards, D.
Publisher:	SciTePress
Place of Publication:	Setúbal, Portugal
Date:	2020
ISBN:	9789897582790
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.5220/0006731502860293 DOI 1299838 Other
Divisions:	Schools > School of Science and Technology
Record created by:	Jonathan Gallacher
Date Added:	30 Mar 2020 13:37
Last Modified:	30 Mar 2020 13:37
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/39514

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