Memory load and task interference: hidden usability issues in speech interfaces
Malcolm J. Cook, Charles Cranmer, Robert Finan, Andy Sapeluk, Carol-Ann Milton · 2017
The increasing power and sophistication of speech recognition and synthesis has encouraged speculation that human factors problems in implementing speech interfaces will diminish dramatically as technologically develops ( Zue, Glass, Goddeau, Goodine, Hirschmann, Leung, Phillips, Polifroni, and Seneff, 1991 ). Advanced speech interfaces are currently being integrated into prototypes of civil and military cockpits ( Gerlach and Onken, 1993 ; Onken, 1995 , Turner, 1995 ; Turner, 1996 ; Steeneken and Gagnon, 1996 ). The reason for the introduction of speech-based interfaces is to increase the time available for head-up flight and, thereby, to improve flight performance and safety. The advantage which is claimed for delivering information via speech-based interfaces is a reduction in the vast quantities of information normally presented in visual displays in the cockpit and the release of the pilot from head down management of cockpit systems. In a simulated multi-task environment self-reports and performance at moderate to high levels of workload with multi-modal interfaces have shown that overall performance with speech-based interfaces is degraded. In particular the use of multi-modal interfaces resulted in degraded performance on tasks requiring extended processing of information and recall of information from memory.