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The human-robot interface system is the key to extending the application field for next generation robot systems. Conventional interface for robots have been widely used to perform tasks such as reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition. However, it is too complex and difficult to use for people who do not have sufficient situation awareness. Additionally, constructing mental models of remote environments is known to be difficult for human operators. This paper proposes a mixed reality interface for remote robot using both real and virtual data acquired by a mobile equipped with an omnidirectional camera and a laser scanner. The MR interface can enhance the current remote robot teleoperation visual interface by combining real environment and virtual information together on a single display to efficiently improve situation awareness, to facilitate the understanding of surrounding environment, and to predict the future status. The computational model that describes the triangle relationship among the mobile robot, the operation and intelligent environment also be discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to its character of virtual reality situation, Interactive Installation Storytelling System with Cooperative Play (IISSCP) provides children an immersive environment and situation awareness (SA) to interact with digital content more directly, intuitively, psychically and mentally. SA improves the interactivity between children and digital content. Through the interaction of play, children participate in learning willingly, give feedback quickly and enjoy peer learning. By integrating virtual computer vision applications with stage props as physical user interface, this system aims to create a natural immersive situation to attain four setting goals which are memory training, imagination of shape, music creation and training of physical strength and reaction. The target users are children aged 8 to 12. However, the cognitive differences of peers cause some problems during cooperative play. Based on findings from this research, we discuss the problems causing cooperation failure during play which are: (1) the cognitive differences when using icons of user interface corresponding to physical user interface, (2) the situation design affects role play during integrating the virtual and physical user interface into a mental gestalt and (3) the interaction complexity and difficulty affect children ability of situation awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Situation awareness in large-scale control systems such as road traffic management aims to predict critical situations on the basis of spatio-temporal relations between real-world objects. Such relations are described by domain-independent calculi, each of them focusing on a certain aspect, for example topology. The fact that these calculi are described independently of the involved objects, isolated from each other, and irrespective of the distances between relations leads to inaccurate and crude predictions. To improve the overall quality of prediction while keeping the modeling effort feasible, we propose a domain-independent approach based on Colored Petri Nets that complements our ontology-driven situation awareness framework BeAware!. These Situation Prediction Nets can be generated automatically and allow increasing (i) prediction precision by exploiting ontological knowledge in terms of object characteristics and interdependencies between relations and (ii) increasing expressiveness by associating multiple distance descriptions with transitions. The applicability of Situation Prediction Nets is demonstrated using real-world traffic data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many measures to prevent wide-spread of communicable diseases depends on embedded IT into objects found in public places. This makes it possible to have objects with awareness on surrounding environment, or having situation awareness. This paper presents design concept to add situation awareness features to automatic garbage bin. There are three design levels for including situation awareness features with garbage bin. From awareness goals, required features are identified. Perception, comprehension, and projection are then aligned with the required features, in order to have desired awareness. Automatic garbage bin is implemented using design specification from the proposed design concept. Result from convenience sampling survey reveals that users are satisfied with the implemented garbage bin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid correlation and analysis of new and existing information is essential to recognizing developing threats and can easily be considered one of the most important challenges for military and security organizations. Automatic preprocessing (fusion) of information can help to ˵connect the dots″ but arguably as important to the intelligence process is the assessment of the combined reliability of the information derived from diverse sources: how can one estimate the overall reliability of a collection of information which may be only partially correct, and is incomplete, vague or imprecise, or even intentionally misleading? In this paper we present a simple heuristics-based model for fusing text-based information from multiple diverse sources which exploits standardized representation of underlying source information. The strength of the model lies in the analysis and evaluation of the uncertainty at three levels: data (source and content), fusion (correlation and evidence), and model (accuracy of representation). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents an architecture for an autonomous robotic agent, which carries on a plan in a partially observable environment. A Supervisor module is in charge of assuring the correct execution of the plan, possibly by inferring alternative recovery plans when unexpected contingencies occur. In the present paper we describe a control strategy where a human user is directly involved in the control loop, and plays the role of advisor by helping the robotic agent both for reducing ambiguity in the robot΄s observations, and for selecting the preferred recovery plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central to smart home security is the need for adequate surrounding awareness. Security systems have been designed for remote exploration and control, however, these still lack the simplicity needed by elderly and disabled. The majority of elderly people find the control of such systems laborious. This highlights the need for usable designs that take into consideration the cognitive limitations of this category of people. This paper contributes towards this problem through the introduction of a novel vehicular Remote Exploration Surveillance Robot (RESBot), capable of monitoring in real time the environment in response to events. The interaction with the system is achieved through natural language commands and hence, provides improved usability over traditional approaches. Results from the experimental usability evaluation of the RESBot system revealed considerable improvement over conventional home security systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we explore the construction of Situation Awareness using a collection of mobile, collaborative and visual-interactive devices. These devices provide a shared workspace where multiple users may correlate information about the problematic situation at hand and organize the unstructured activities necessary to handle the situation. A PDA prototype of these mobile, collaborative and visual-interactive devices has already been developed with the purpose to evaluate the feasibility of the collaboration model. The paper describes the collaboration model and presents an application scenario in the emergency management area currently being used to evaluate the prototype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For integrated air defence in network centric environment, it is required to process information (collected from multiple sensors) for enhancing Situation Awareness (SA) at the command and control nodes. SA is the process of building comprehensive pictures of the battlespace to the decision maker who can further utilized it for threat evaluation. A novel approach for enhancing situation awareness in integrated air defence perspective via Clustering and Case Based Reasoning (CBR) has been proposed in this paper. Clustering is applied on track data generated from Level I of multi sensor data fusion to aggregate entities in the target area. CBR further provide information about air package type, size and purpose of the aggregated entities using cluster attribute records. The effectiveness of the proposed approach has been illustrated on simulation data generated to depict typical integrated defence scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safe driving requires a mental representation of objects and situational features relevant to the driver΄s behavior. This includes the generation of predictions of how the situation will develop in the near future. These processes are summarized under the term ˵situation awareness″, previously proposed in the aviation domain. By now the cognitive mechanisms underlying situation awareness are far from being understood properly. In this paper we propose a theory that is based on results from studies in language understanding [1] and attention [2] and that is applied to the driving context. Mechanisms for the construction of a situation model and for the selection of actions are outlined. Finally, predictions of the model concerning the effect of experience, relevance, and criticality on the drivers´ mental representation are investigated. In a second study the effects of cognitive tasks on predicting events in traffic are focused. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To increase aviation maintenance and inspection safety, we propose a web-based training system (WBTS) for technician training and performing maintenance tasks. Toward this goal, the risks of human errors were considered for each procedure from the perspectives of performance shaping factors (PSFs). WBTS functions include English and Chinese explanations, human error effects on human-machine system, human errors relative to serious rankings and frequency, and graphic information aid in each component removal and installation procedure. To verify the proposed platform, experiments were conducted on a JT8D engine during the inaugural flight of Boeing΄s 727 to compare traditional workcard and proposed WBTS in two complex teamwork tasks. The results revealed that teams΄ risk cognition, situation awareness, and performance have been increased by proposed WBTS comparing to that by the traditional work-card instructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A human-in-the-loop simulation was conducted to examine performance, workload, and situation awarenessof students and retired air traffic controllers using an on-line situation awareness probe technique. Performance of the students did not differ from the controllers on many of the performance variables examined, a finding attributed to extensive sector-specific simulation training provided to the students. Both students and controllers indicated that workload was higher and situation awareness was lower in scenarios where the traffic density was high. However, the subjective workload and situation awareness scores indicate that students were more negatively affected by traffic density. Implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared situation awareness across three flight deck decision aiding modes. Pilots resolved air traffic conflicts using a click and drag software tool. In the automated aiding condition, pilots executed all resolutions generated by the automation. In the interactive condition, automation suggested a maneuver, but pilots had the choice of accepting or modifying the provided resolution. In the manual condition pilots generated resolutions independently. A technique that combines both Situation Global Assessment Technique and Situation Present Awareness Method was used to assess situation awareness. Results showed that situation awareness was better in the Manual and Interactive conditions when compared to the Automated condition. The finding suggests that pilots are able to maintain greater situation awareness when they are actively engaged in the conflict resolution process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A computerized clinical reminder (CCR) system is a type of decision support tool to remind healthcare providers of recommended actions. In our prior study, we found a linear correlation between resolution time and adherence rate. This correlation implies a potentially biased clinical decision making. This study aimed to redesign the Veterans Affairs (VA) CCR system in order to improve providers΄ situation awareness and decision quality. The CCR redesign incorporated a knowledge-based risk factor repository and a prioritization mechanism. Both CCR designs were prototyped and tested by 16 physicians in a controlled lab in the Indianapolis VA Medical Center. The results showed that 80% of the subjects changed their prioritization decisions after being introduced to the modified design. Moreover, with the modified design, the correlation between resolution time and adherence rate was no longer found. The redesign improved the subjects΄ situation awareness and assisted them in making more informed decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The military environment is physically and mentally extremely stressful. Tasks in the operating environment are varied, demanding and hazardous. Due to these challenges, new user interfaces (UIs) are required providing improved soldier protection and performance both in day-time and night-time conditions. The new UIs should, e.g., improve the soldier΄s situation awareness, i.e., perception of information, integration of pieces of information, determination of their relevance to one΄s goals, and projection of their status in the future. The aim of the Finnish project called ˵Supporting situation awareness in demanding operating environments through wearable interfaces″ is to develop UIs for wearable computers that help the special force soldier carry out his/her main critical tasks, e.g., detection and identification of enemies and features of the surrounding environment, navigation and self-localization, development of tactics and communication between and within military units. The main portions of the work are task and work analysis, and conceptual design and evaluation of prototype systems. The present paper present the project and the methods that are used in the functional analysis of military tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we explore the concept of confidence bias in Situation Awareness (SA), i.e., the perception of own situational knowledge, a meta-cognition aspect of SA. Two studies were conducted to evaluate the nature of confidence bias across the present and future status, and across individual and team missions, as well as its relation with performance outcome. The results from both studies were consistent. Participants΄ confidence bias was higher in the future than present status, but did not differ significantly across individual and team missions. Participants who had lower confidence bias were found to have better performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common Operational Picture and in consequence Situation Awareness, had been second class issue treated as a result of decision support procedures. This work concentrates mainly on developing methods for integrating battlefield data using ontologies and presenting such data in distributed GIS environment supported by reasoning methods. Such approach allows to organize and filter data using predefined filters dedicated for various level of command and types of operations. Combining semantic data and spatial querying mechanisms, produce extendable and rapid mechanism for battlespace information presentation which vastly increases the speed of decision process. Published results contain analysis of known military domain models. Based on such study, author proposed, a core ontology for representing current battlefield scenario, filled with geospatial information and tactical data gathered from decision support algorithms and military domain analysis. The concept have been applied in presented designed and developed prototype in Service Oriented Architecture demonstrating, a Network Enabled Capability integrated battlespace picture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent events, including the terrorist attacks in the fall of 2001, the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and Hurricane Katrina, highlight the need for real-time information exchange to enhance government΄s awareness and understanding of public health events in order to detect and respond as those events unfold. This paper describes the planned approach of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)΄s Office of Critical Information Integration and Exchange (OCIIX) in meeting that need through the programmatic area known as BioPHusion–the identification of critical information requirements (CIRs) and the operationalization of real-time public health information fusion and leadership decision-support activities. Drawing from methodologies for situation awareness used in other domains, we outline the framework being used for the implementation of BioPHusion, including the formalization of information exchange partnerships, systematic information source acquisition, policy development, analysis, research, threat assessments and situational awareness report production. We propose that the framework can be applied to the development of real-time information exchange for situation awareness in other public health practice settings, such as state and local government. And, we suggest that the framework can be used to explore the possibilities around sharing critical information with other components of government involved in the detection of, and response to, public health emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public life, economy and society as a whole depend to a very large extend on the proper functioning of critical infrastructures (CIs) like energy supply or telecommunication. The extensive use of information and communication technologies (ICT) has pervaded the critical infrastructures, rendering them more intelligent but even increasingly interconnected, complex, interdependent, and therefore more vulnerable. In this paper a new technology (MIT - Middleware Improvement Technology) is proposed: it is based on a collection of software components aiming at enhancing the dependability, the survivability and the resilience of LCCIs (Large Complex Critical Infrastructures) by mitigating dependency and interdependency effects. It should prevent and limit cascading effects and/or support automated (if possible) recovery and service continuity in critical situations. The research activities and results described in the paper have been developed inside EU/FP6 Integrated Project IRRIIS - Integrated Risk Reduction of Information-based Infrastructure Systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]