Towards combining UAV and sensor operator roles in UAV-enabled visual search

Wilderness search and rescue (WiSAR) is a challenging problem because of the large areas and often rough terrain that must be searched. Using mini-UAVs to deliver aerial video to searchers has potential to support WiSAR efforts, but a number of technology and human factors problems must be overcome to make this practical. At the source of many of these problems is a desire to manage the UAV using as few people as possible, so that more people can be used in ground-based search efforts. This paper uses observations from two informal studies and one formal experiment to identify what human operators may be unaware of as a function of autonomy and information display. Results suggest that progress is being made on designing autonomy and information displays that may make it possible for a single human to simultaneously manage the UAV and its camera in WiSAR, but that adaptable displays that support systematic navigation are probably needed.