Presentation
EEG Theta Power Varies across Roles in Mixed Human-Robot Teams
SessionPoster Session 1
DescriptionIntroduction: The cognitive demands of search and rescue teams depend highly on the role of a given first responder, whether commanding or supporting the mission. Robots embedded in such teams have been assigned for navigational support and payload transport. However, poor robot performances have been shown to impact mission performance and can impair team cognition and workload. This study aimed to determine the impact of robot performance on team members’ cognition using electroencephalogram (EEG). Methods: We computed the Power Spectrum Density of frontal theta bands in 40 participants, who completed a virtual search and rescue task in 20 teams. Teams searched for trapped victims in all-human teams and human-robot teams (reliable and unreliable). Results: Among participants assigned to the commander position, higher theta activity was observed while working with an unreliable robot at frontal and temporal-parietal sites. Lower theta power was observed for safety officers at frontal sites. Discussion: While working in reliable human or human-robot teams, participants appear to have consistent neural responses. In unreliable conditions, teammates seem to compensate differently to changing demands. Commanders might feel more responsible for reorienting the team to the new demands, and safety officers might feel the need to improve quality communication.
Event Type
Poster
TimeTuesday, October 14th5:30pm - 6:30pm CDT
LocationRiverside East