Impact of HUD Design on Cognitive Load in UAV Control

Abstract

This study analyzes the influence of mental workload on physiology of 24 individuals with flight deck experience during a remote control of an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV operates without line-of-sight communication, so any command given by the pilot has a two-second delay due to the satellite link. To assist the pilot, two flight data display interfaces (HUDs) were developed. During the simulation, physiological responses were monitored using electrodermal activity (EDA) sensors, electrocardiograms (ECG) and eye tracking. Besides the physiological data, the research also uses subjective workload assessments such as the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), the Subjective Workload Dominance technique (SWORD), and the Instantaneous Self-Assessment (ISA). Results indicated that designed HUDs influenced cognitive load and flight accuracy leading to lower workload and performance improvement. These results highlight the need for more adaptable interfaces. As a future perspective, the usage of adaptive operator support systems is recommended, adjusting interfaces and automation levels according to the user’s cognitive state, enabling a more efficient and safer interaction with advanced aviation systems.