The Effects of Cue Utilization and Target-Related Information on Target Detection during a Simulated Drone Search and Rescue Task

摘要

Remotely piloted vehicles or ‘drones’ have become ubiquitous both privately and commercially. One of thenumerous applications for drones involves the search and rescue for specified targets. The use of ‘cues’during target detection has been shown to improve performance and reduce cognitive demands in manyenvironments. This study examined the relationship between cue utilization and level of target detail duringa high-fidelity simulated drone search and rescue task. Seventy-six undergraduate students from anAustralian University operated a payload (long range camera) to detect a ‘target’ (a bus driver stranded inthe Utah desert) while flying on a pre-programmed flight path. The results indicated that the provision ofdetailed target information was associated with greater rates of target detection. Further, participants withhigher cue utilization were more likely to locate the target. Finally, participants with higher cue utilization,and provided with basic target information, were more likely to locate the target than participants withlower cue utilization. The practical and theoretical implications of the outcomes are discussed.