Trustworthy UAV Relationships: Applying the Schema Action World Taxonomy to UAVs and UAV Swarm Operations

Abstract

Human Factors play a significant role in the development and integration of avionic systems to ensure that they are trusted and can be used effectively. As Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology becomes increasingly important to the aviation domain this holds true. This study aims to gain an understanding of UAV operators’ trust requirements when piloting UAVs by utilising a popular aviation interview methodology (Schema World Action Research Method), in combination with key questions on trust identified from the literature. Interviews were conducted with six UAV operators, with a range of experience. This identified the importance of past experience to trust and the expectations that operators hold. Recommendations are made that target training to inform experience, in addition to the equipment, procedures and organisational standards that can aid in developing trustworthy systems. The methodology that was developed shows promise for capturing trust within human-automation interactions.