Comparison Between Baseline and Recovery ECG Data in an Experiment with a Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Human-Machine Interface

This study investigates the cardiovascular impact of cognitive load on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operators through a comparative analysis of baseline and recovery Electrocardiogram (ECG) data. Twenty-four participants from diverse aviation backgrounds underwent simulated UAV missions with varying Human-Machine Interface (HMI) configurations, including voice command and multi-operator settings. ECG data was collected pre- and post-simulation to assess physiological responses. Statistical analysis, including Z-transform normalization and Student's t-test, was employed to examine heart rate variability (HRV) differences. The results reveal significant changes in HRV previously and after the simulations, highlighting the substantial impact of cognitive load on cardiovascular function. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring physiological responses to optimize human-machine interface design and mitigate operator workload in demanding UAV operations.

Keywords: Cognitive load, ECG analysis, UAV operator, HMI, T-test, Z-transform.