Disaster Ergonomics: Investigating Human Robotic Interaction, SUAVs, and Teams Interactions Associated with Disaster Response
Center for Human, AI, and Robot Teaming Seminar
Join us for a presentation by S. Camille Peres, assistant professor, Texas A&M University.
Abstract: Effective disaster response involves a multifaceted, multipronged approach requiring the coordination of teams of field responders, emergency operations management (EOM) team, and local first responders. Over the last 15 to 20 years, there has been an increasing use of small, unmanned aerial vehicles (SUAVs) in these types of responses to facilitate rescue, recovery and property damage assessment. These SUAVs are tele-operated by pilots who arrive at disaster environments with lost sleep, a situation that is exacerbated by a disrupted rest schedule as the mission unfolds. Additionally, these pilots must coordinate their efforts with the EOM members who are often equally fatigued. Further, teams associated with disaster response are often ad hoc teams with varying levels of training and experience. This presentation will share the methods and some results of in-situ investigations examining the complex system and dynamics of emergency response, and will particularly discuss some of the challenges associated with human-robotic interactions for SUAVS in this domain.
Bio: S. Camille Peres is an assistant professor with the department of Environmental and Occupational Health at Texas A&M University as well as the assistant director of Human Systems Engineering with the Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center. She received her PhD from Rice University in 2005 and her areas of expertise are Human Systems Engineering, Human Factors, and Usability. She does collaborative research with the high-risk processing industry and is currently involved in investigations regarding: performance implications for procedure design and use; understanding Human Robotic Interaction in disaster environments; and measuring team performance in emergency operations.