Unmanned tactical autonomous control and collaboration coactive design

Abstract

Unmanned tactical autonomous control and collaboration (UTACC) is a Marine Corps experimental research initiative with the overarching aim of developing a collaborative human-robotic system of systems (SoS). This thesis analyzed the results of the existing UTACC concept development and incorporated them into an emergent human-robotic system development method, Coactive Design. An advantage to using this method is that it includes the human and his or her internal processes when modeling the system. As such, the focus is shifted to supplementing team capacities vice developing autonomy. The two aims of this thesis are (1) to provide a recommendation for incorporating the Coactive Design method into the systems' development life cycle and (2) to provide a list of design requirements for a resilient UTACC SoS. Resilience is realized by designing for flexibility. A teamwork infrastructure built on many interdependent relationships provides this flexibility. These interdependent relationships can be grouped into three areas: observability, predictability, and directability. Counter to conventional practices within the robotics industry, Coactive Design focuses on managing these interdependencies rather than focusing on autonomy. Coactive Design also provides a cost-benefit analysis of development choices, which assists with developing efficiencies during the design and development of the system.