A quantitative model of the human–machine interaction and multi-task performance: A strategy function and the unity model paradigm

A human–machine-interaction (HMI) model is developed for the human operator (HO) performing five simultaneous tasks and characterized by a strategy function. Five levels of total machine-initiated baud rate (BIN)(BIN) are generated by the multi-attribute task battery (MATB) and five HO baud rates (BO)(BO) are then recorded. Total baud ratio (B¯) is defined as the ratio of BOBO to BINBIN. Results indicate that with increasing BINBIN levels: (1) there is an overall increase in BOBO, and (2) there is an overall decrease in B¯. These results are due to a decreasing HMI performance and divergence of the strategy function from a unity model paradigm.