Function Allocation Considerations in the Era of Human Autonomy Teaming

Function allocation refers to strategies for distributing system functions and tasks across people and technology. We review approaches to function allocation in the context of human machine teaming with technology that exhibits high levels of autonomy (e.g., unmanned aerial systems). Although most function allocation projects documented in the literature have employed a single method, we advocate for an integrated approach that leverages four key activities: (1) analyzing operational demands and work requirements; (2) exploring alternative distribution of work across person and machine agents that make up a human machine team (HMT); (3) examining interdependencies between human and autonomous technologies required for effective HMT performance under routine and off-nominal (unexpected) conditions; and (4) exploring the trade-space of alternative HMT options. Our literature review identified methods to support each of these activities. In combination, they enable system designers to uncover, explore, and weigh a range of critical design considerations beyond those emphasized by the MABA–MABA (“Men are better at, Machines are better at”) and Levels of Automation function allocation traditions. Example applications are used to illustrate the value of these methods to design of HMT that includes autonomous machine agents.