There are multiple levels of automation developed and defined for UAS operations. NASA created the NASA level of autonomy that consists of 8 different levels. They each have an observe, orient, decide, and act decision making task associated with the situation (Elliot, J.L. & Stewart, B., 2011, p. 113). The chart listed below shows each level of automation.
Figure 1: NASA Level of Autonomy (Elliot, J.L. & Stewart, B., 2011, p. 113)
Level 1 is the most human oriented level. The human is able to gather and filter through all of the data. Level 8 is the most computer-based system. The computer gathers all information and does not even display that information to the human. Currently, most technology operates between a 3 to a 5. The computer is able to gather information and make decisions, but most systems still require a human in the loop to impact large situations.
The most challenging difference between manned aircraft and unmanned aircraft is the ability to keep safe separation between aircraft. See-and-avoid principles are normally utilized to prevent aircraft from colliding in flight. UAS are unable to do that since there is no operator on board to complete see-and-avoid doctrine. In this case, Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) or sense and avoid are utilized to keep safe separation between aircraft (Angelov, P.P., 2012). All of this information must be translated over from the unmanned aircraft to the ground control station. This factors into the autonomy of the aircraft. At this point unmanned aircraft still need a remote operator to ensure the proper information is being passed. A computer cannot be the sole decision maker in the loop.
I think the aviation industry is using the appropriate amount of automation compared to where we are with technological advances. The aviation community is continuously working towards more advances and improving on technologies. This is necessary to one day make it towards fully autonomous aircraft. It will eventually be an ethical and political decision to decide if vehicles should be completely autonomous. As long as they are safe and reliable, I think that is the best decision moving forward.
References
Angelov, P. P. (2012). Sense and avoid in UAS: Research and applications (2nd ed.). Wiley.
Elliot, J.L. & Steward, B. (2011) Automation and autonomy in unmanned aircraft systems. In Barnhart, K.R., Hottman, B.S., Marcha, M.D., & Shape, E. (Eds.) Introduction to unmanned aircraft systems (pp. 100-116). CRC Press. https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/lib/erau/reader.action?docID=1449438&ppg=118&query=
Comments
Post a Comment