Voice Loops as Coordination Aids in Space ShuttleMission Control

  • Authors:
  • Emily S. Patterson;David D. Woods;Jennifer Watts-Perotti

  • Affiliations:
  • Cognitive Systems Engineering Laboratory, Institute for Ergonomics, The Ohio State University;Cognitive Systems Engineering Laboratory, Institute for Ergonomics, The Ohio State University;Cognitive Systems Engineering Laboratory, Institute for Ergonomics, The Ohio State University (Now at Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY)

  • Venue:
  • Computer Supported Cooperative Work
  • Year:
  • 1999

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Abstract

Voice loops, an auditory groupware technology, areessential coordination support tools for experiencedpractitioners in domains such as air trafficmanagement, aircraft carrier operations and spaceshuttle mission control. They support synchronouscommunication on multiple channels among groups ofpeople who are spatially distributed. In this paper,we suggest reasons for why the voice loop system is asuccessful medium for supporting coordination in spaceshuttle mission control based on over 130 hours ofdirect observation. Voice loops allow practitionersto listen in on relevant communications withoutdisrupting their own activities or the activities ofothers. In addition, the voice loop system isstructured around the mission control organization,and therefore directly supports the demands of thedomain. By understanding how voice loops meet theparticular demands of the mission control environment,insight can be gained for the design of groupwaretools to support cooperative activity in otherevent-driven domains.