Detection of Detrimental Weak Emergent Behavior Considering Operational Factors: A Case Study in Search and Rescue

This article applies the design of experiments approach for detecting detrimental weak emergent behavior of an autonomous surface vessel operating in a dynamic environment on a search and rescue mission. The research utilizes orthogonal arrays in combination with regression analysis to systematically test the parameter space of an engineered system function. We explored the parameter space of interest and detected where the system model does not comply with a defined measure of effectiveness. The findings from this case study suggest that these methods enable a systematic exploration of the system's parameter space, allowing for the effective detection of detrimental weak emergent behavior. This approach potentially enhances test coverage, expands system operating knowledge and facilitates mitigation efforts more efficiently.