Prior research has proposed the use of a Perception by Proxy framework that relies on human perception to support actions of autonomy. Given the importance of human perception, this framework highlights the need to understand how human cognitive abilities factor into the human-robot dynamic. The following paper uses a military reconnaissance task to examine how cognitive abilities interact with the gradual implementation of autonomy in a Perception by Proxy framework (i.e., autonomy to detect; autonomy to support rerouting) to predict three dimensions of sequential performance (i.e., speeded detection; target identification; rerouting). Results showed that, in addition to effects of autonomy and task setting, different individual abilities predicted unique aspects of performance. This highlights the need to broaden consideration of cognitive abilities in HRI.

In this paper we briefly describe teaming heuristics as they are applied to human-human teams, and demonstrate their adaptability to human-robot (HR) teams. We discuss a framework developed from Salas's models on teamwork and team training. As HRI technology moves from tele-operative control methods to teamwork with intelligent robots, it is pertinent to properly integrate knowledge about teams into the development of robotic systems. This should lead to highly effective team systems, and may provide insight into the design of robotic entities and system protocols.

This study investigates data collected from operating an Inuktun robot in an urban search and rescue (USAR) confined space training exercise task at Virginia Beach Training Center. Data was collected from coding approximately one hour of video. The video had no sound so all analysis is based on the video feed. Indicators of communication, gestures, physical interactions with the robot, and robot movements were analyzed. The findings indicate that the robot emerges as a virtual presence for the support of the team outside of the confined space. The team members spontaneously responded socially to the robot despite the robot not being engineered to have a social intelligence. This confirms numerous studies in the cognitive science, psychology, and affective computing literature that robots need a social interface regards of domain.