Robust control performance of time-varying human controller models (Q1059600)

Previous models for human operator control performance have exhibited stochastic characteristics. Even with a repetitive task and a highly motivated and trained subject, there is clear variability of output (control actions). This variability, termed remnant, has been previously modeled as observation and motor noise associated with the operator. Recently, a new approach was taken: remnant was modeled as a time-varying operator characteristic associated with changes in the relative weighting of various performance measures, together with lack of understanding of the dynamics of the plant being controlled. The present work extends this concept and shows that the performance of time-varying human controller models is very robust with respect to changes in the time variability of the operator model.