Warfighter Acceptance of Future Physiological Monitoring and Augmentation

Abstract

Combat operations are often high tempo, resulting in undesirable levels of operator workload and stress. Adaptive automation has been suggested as a solution to these issues. However, this augmentation approach is predicated on operator consent to monitoring. Acceptance of such systems may be influenced by concerns regarding the use of monitor data and mistrust of automation technology. The purpose of the current investigation was to examine operator acceptance of physiological monitoring and future augmentation strategies after limited exposure to one device. During a simulated exercise, eleven command and control operators were equipped with a physiological monitor prior to each mission. Following the exercise, operators were surveyed regarding their acceptance of monitoring and several potential augmentation strategies. The results of the survey suggested that the operators were generally open to both monitoring and augmentation, but that they may also be insensitive to the limitations of current technology.