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Levels of automation

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The oil and gas industry is becoming more technologically advanced every day. As automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics improve, it may be increasingly tempting to employ automatic means to accomplish industry goals. The degree to which a task is automated is referred to as levels of automation (LOA). The most comprehensive list was developed by Thomas B. Sheridan and W. L. Verplank[1]. Levels of automation range from complete human control to complete computer control.

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Automation levels

The computer does the action if it decides it should be done. The computer tells the human operator only if it decides the operator should be told.

four-stage model of human information processing

Parasuraman, Sheridan, and Wickens[2] went on to introduce the idea of associating levels of automation to functions. These functions are based on a four-stage model of human information processing and can be translated into equivalent system functions:

  1. Information acquisition
  2. Information analysis
  3. Decision and action selection
  4. Action implementation.

The four functions can provide an initial categorization for types of tasks in which automation can support the human.

Information acquisition

Automation of information acquisition applies to the sensing and registration of input data.[2]

Information analysis

Automation of information analysis involves cognitive functions such as working memory and inferential processes.[2]

Decision and action selection

This stage, decision and action selection, involves selection from among decision alternatives[2]

Action implementation

This final stage of action implementation refers to the actual execution of the action choice.[2]

Adaptive Automation

Levels of automation across any of the above functional types do not need to be fixed at the system design stage. Instead, the level of automation could be designed to vary depending on production demands during operational use.[2]


References

  1. Sheridan, T. B., & Verplank, W. L. 1978. Human and computer control of undersea teleoperators. Cambridge, Mass: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Man-Machine Systems Laboratory. www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA057655 PDF
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers., & IEEE Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Society. 2000. A Model for Types and Levels of Human Interaction with Automation. IEEE transactions on systems, man, and cybernetics: A publication of the IEEE Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Society. New York, NY: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Vol. 30. No. 3.

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