Levels of Cooperation in Human–Machine Systems: A Human–BCI–Robot Example

Abstract

Designing safe and efficient human–machine systems is extremely important, yet remains incredibly challenging. Many models and methods are proposed in the literature that provides useful approaches to exploring what the best task-sharing solutions may be, given selected criteria. However, such approaches are usually dedicated to a single specific domain of application and extracted concepts can only be partly applied to other domains. In this chapter, with the definition of levels of cooperation, a generic and flexible approach is proposed to support the designer in identifying human–machine common goals, individual and cooperative abilities, and criteria for dynamic task allocation. The method is described and explained through a concrete example, which considers how people with a high level of disability might use only a brain–machine interface to control a remote robot.