Effects of Input and Output Predictions on Manual Control Performance

This study analyzed the possible effects of providing the human operator with either input or output predictions during digital control tasks. The output predictions were generated by a method somewhat related to the fast-time model predictions used for time-continuous control systems, while the input predictions were of a statistical nature. The results indicated that output predictions tended to enhance the control performance, especially for subjects with no previous digital control experience. However, the input predictions did not have any significant effects on the performance during either the pursuit or the compensatory control mode.