A quantitative model of the human-machine interaction and multi-task performance: a strategy function and the unity model paradigm.

ABSTRACT

A human-machine-interaction (HMI) model is developed for the human operator (HO) performing five simultaneous tasks and characterized by a strategy function. Five levels of total machine-initiated baud rate (B(IN)) are generated by the multi-attribute task battery (MATB) and five HO baud rates (B(O)) are then recorded. Total baud ratio (B ) is defined as the ratio of B(O) to B(IN). Results indicate that with increasing B(IN) levels (1) there is an overall increase in B(O), and (2) there is an overall decrease in B . These results are due to a decreasing HMI performance and divergence of the strategy function from a unity model paradigm.