"I'm Not in the Mode to Help"

Abstract

Devices with multiple modes increase user stress, workload, and error rate. Robots that operate at multiple levels of autonomy offer a wide range of functions, but may increase error. In this work, we develop and test multimodal interfaces to communicate a robot's current level of automation to a user who is engaged in a high-workload task. Future studies will apply these findings to multiple-human, multiple-robot teams.