Shared control between humans and machines has received considerable attention in research and engineering. It has been examined as an approach to enhance the capabilities of both humans and machines, especially with communication via the haptic channel at the operational level. Recent studies and literature point out the importance of shared control as one of the fundamental principles towards human-machine cooperative systems where humans and machines seamlessly interact with each other to achieve a common objective. The wide range of possible applications, e.g. driving, flying, wheelchair control, tele-operation, underwater robotics, robotic assistance in medicine and industrial environments, make shared control and human-machine cooperation two of the most promising concepts towards human-centered, safe and highly effective automated systems.
Nevertheless, the design of an automation for human-machine shared control and cooperative systems is highly challenging due to the human component in the overall control loop. Additionally, the interaction between humans and machines is not necessarily restricted to a joint lower-level control with communication on the haptic channel, but can include higher levels (i.e., tactical, and strategical) of interaction (e.g. through discrete symbols). Furthermore, an automatic controller needs an understanding of the possible effects its actions have on the human partner and the result of the interaction. Therefore, it becomes of great importance to develop and apply models of human behavior as well as interaction models which can be used by the machine for a better interplay between both partners and across various levels of interaction.
The objective of this Research Topic is to gather results on novel modeling, identification, and control design approaches for human-machine shared control and cooperative systems. A particular emphasis is laid on models which can be included in a control loop, either describing low-level (e.g. haptic) interaction or higher-level (e.g. symbol- or goal-based) interaction. Similarly, the Research Topic seeks to foster model-based design methods for cooperative control. Empirical studies of novel or existing models, used to assess how certain aspects of human-machine interaction are described, are also welcome. The contributions may be based on system-theoretical approaches or on application-specific (yet scenario-agnostic) models and principles. The aim of the Research Topic proposal is ultimately to showcase latest model-based techniques and practical solutions that could advance human-machine cooperation for various applications.
Main areas of human-machine cooperation which are of interest to this Research Topic are modeling and identification of human behavior and human-machine cooperative systems, automation design in such systems, as well as validation and empirical studies on human-machine systems.
In particular, the Research Topic calls for manuscripts, including (but not limited to) contributions on:
- Modeling and identification of one or various fundamental principles of human behavior
- Human operator modeling and recognition
- Human decision making models
- Human-goal compliant planning & trajectory generation methods
- Identifying models for human behavior from data
- Cooperative control and trajectory planning for human-machine systems
- Theoretical analysis of cooperative control loops in human-machine systems
- Validation and empirical studies of human-machine cooperation models
- Definition of dynamic task allocation and arbitration mechanisms for conflict management in human-machine cooperation
- Control authority transition in automated systems (automated vehicles, robotics, etc.)
- Adaptation and learning techniques in human-machine systems
Conflict of Interest Statement: Jairo Inga is employed by the Mercedes-Benz Group AG. All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.
Shared control between humans and machines has received considerable attention in research and engineering. It has been examined as an approach to enhance the capabilities of both humans and machines, especially with communication via the haptic channel at the operational level. Recent studies and literature point out the importance of shared control as one of the fundamental principles towards human-machine cooperative systems where humans and machines seamlessly interact with each other to achieve a common objective. The wide range of possible applications, e.g. driving, flying, wheelchair control, tele-operation, underwater robotics, robotic assistance in medicine and industrial environments, make shared control and human-machine cooperation two of the most promising concepts towards human-centered, safe and highly effective automated systems.
Nevertheless, the design of an automation for human-machine shared control and cooperative systems is highly challenging due to the human component in the overall control loop. Additionally, the interaction between humans and machines is not necessarily restricted to a joint lower-level control with communication on the haptic channel, but can include higher levels (i.e., tactical, and strategical) of interaction (e.g. through discrete symbols). Furthermore, an automatic controller needs an understanding of the possible effects its actions have on the human partner and the result of the interaction. Therefore, it becomes of great importance to develop and apply models of human behavior as well as interaction models which can be used by the machine for a better interplay between both partners and across various levels of interaction.
The objective of this Research Topic is to gather results on novel modeling, identification, and control design approaches for human-machine shared control and cooperative systems. A particular emphasis is laid on models which can be included in a control loop, either describing low-level (e.g. haptic) interaction or higher-level (e.g. symbol- or goal-based) interaction. Similarly, the Research Topic seeks to foster model-based design methods for cooperative control. Empirical studies of novel or existing models, used to assess how certain aspects of human-machine interaction are described, are also welcome. The contributions may be based on system-theoretical approaches or on application-specific (yet scenario-agnostic) models and principles. The aim of the Research Topic proposal is ultimately to showcase latest model-based techniques and practical solutions that could advance human-machine cooperation for various applications.
Main areas of human-machine cooperation which are of interest to this Research Topic are modeling and identification of human behavior and human-machine cooperative systems, automation design in such systems, as well as validation and empirical studies on human-machine systems.
In particular, the Research Topic calls for manuscripts, including (but not limited to) contributions on:
- Modeling and identification of one or various fundamental principles of human behavior
- Human operator modeling and recognition
- Human decision making models
- Human-goal compliant planning & trajectory generation methods
- Identifying models for human behavior from data
- Cooperative control and trajectory planning for human-machine systems
- Theoretical analysis of cooperative control loops in human-machine systems
- Validation and empirical studies of human-machine cooperation models
- Definition of dynamic task allocation and arbitration mechanisms for conflict management in human-machine cooperation
- Control authority transition in automated systems (automated vehicles, robotics, etc.)
- Adaptation and learning techniques in human-machine systems
Conflict of Interest Statement: Jairo Inga is employed by the Mercedes-Benz Group AG. All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.