ABSTRACT
Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have high mishap rates as compared to general aviation. Among other factors, UAS operator error has been associated with instrumentation/sensory feedback systems and channelized attention. Multimodal displays, and in particular exteroceptive tactile cueing, may be a useful means of compensating for UAS operator's sensory isolation, alleviating high cognitive demands, and directing attention . Exteroceptive tactile cueing could be used to supplement auditory and visual displays in improving the situation awareness (SA) of UAS operators . Given past use of tactilc cues as effective alerting and feedback mechanisms, a framework is presented which represents how tactile cues can be used to enhance object recognition awareness, spatial awareness, and temporal awareness. The framework aims to improve UAS operator training effectiveness, throughput, and operational performance and has applicability to the military and medical domains. Future research opportunities will be suggested.
