Search

Human performance executing search and rescue type of navigation is one area that can benefit from augmented reality technology when the proper computer generated information is added to a real scene. Search and rescue is characterized by the need to completely inspect a space, find an objective, and exit the space. Time is of the essence in completing this type of task and the environment is normally not familiar to the user, and lacks known landmarks. We briefly report on an experiment that demonstrated the benefits of augmented reality in a search and rescue task. Specifically, 120 participants, equally divided by gender, were tested in speed and accuracy using augmented reality in a search and rescue task. Accuracy performance was improved using augmented reality as compared to the control conditions. Additionally, a user controlled On-Demand display resulted in better performance than a Continuously On display. We report on additional analysis performed on data gathered during the augmented reality experiment. Specifically the data involves whether the sense of presence occurred during the task, how one can measure presence in augmented reality environments, and the extent to which individual differences were factors in performance. While presence was not found in the experiments, new insights and measurement approaches emerged. Individual differences also exhibited some interesting results. Spatial recall and ingress-egress time were the independent variables measured against various factors obtained from demographics. Briefly, when individual treatments are aggregated, individuals between 25-35 years of age took longer to traverse the maze when compared to both older and younger groups. Likewise, females and persons with spatially oriented academic majors took longer to traverse the maze. We conjecture that these increases in times are due to well known gender differences, maturity or existing training in spatially oriented tasks., Presented at the RTO Human Factors and Medicine Panel (HFM) Workshop held in United States Military Academy, West Point, NY on 13-15 Jun 2006 and published in proceedings of the same as paper 28. See also ADM002024, Virtual Media for Military Applications (Media virtuels pour les applications militaires) (CD-ROM), RTO-MP-HFM-136, AC/323(HFM-136)TP/68. The original document contains color images.

Mobile augmented reality (AR) combines 3D spatially registered graphics and sounds with a user's perception of the real world. Combining mobile AR with computer simulation promises to revolutionize practicing and training for many tasks, especially those that are naturally conducted in the real world. However, to achieve this potential, the field needs a much better understanding of how users perceive and comprehend information that is mediated by an AR display. We review the work that has been performed in this area to date and discuss the challenges presented by perceptual issues in AR for training systems. Then we describe our application of experimental methodologies which address perceptual and cognitive issues, employs subject matter experts to ensure domain relevance, and address the limitations of emerging technology. We apply these methodologies in the context of a mobile AR simulation system that we have developed to support military training., Presented at the Western Simulation Multiconference (WMC '05), held in New Orleans, LA, on 23-27 Jan 2005. Prepared in collaboration with Mississippi State University; University of Central Florida; and ITT Advanced Engineering and Sciences/Naval Research Laboratory. The original document contains color images.

Augmented Reality (AR) is an emerging technology that offers possibilities that other technologies are not able to fulfill. AR uses a computer to add information to the real world. Future AR technology will be low cost, fieldable, usable for multiple purposes such as actual operations, and occupy a small footprint. The technology is emerging from laboratories and beginning to be evaluated for use by people in various settings. This evaluation activity meshes well with continued research and development of the technology., See also ADM001736, Proceedings for the Army Science Conference (24th) held on 29 November - 2 December 2004 in Orlando, Florida.

This report presents a summary of the activities of the Second Conference on Standards for the Interoperability of Defense Simulations sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. This is the second workshop concerning the development of technical standards for networking defense simulations. These standards are intended to meet the needs of large scale simulated engagements systems which are being used increasingly to support system acquisition, test and evaluation, tactical warfare simulation and training in DoD. The primary goals of this workshop were to provide a forum and discuss issues prior to the development of a Protocol Data Unit level standard, to capture networking requirements and needs, and to exchange ideas and keep interested parties informed on networking technology issues. The three day workshop focused on two major topic areas: Communication Protocols and Terrain Databases., See also Volume 1, AD-A241 112.

This report presents a summary of the activities of the Second Conference on Standards for the Interoperability of Defense Simulations sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Program Manager for Training Devices (PM TRADE). This is the second workshop concerning the development of technical standards for networking defense simulations. These standards are intended to meet the needs of large scale simulated engagements systems which are being used increasingly to support system acquisition, test and evaluation, tactical warfare simulation and training in DoD. The primary goals of this workshop were to provide a forum and discuss issues prior to the development of a Protocol Data Unit level standard, to capture networking requirements and needs, and to exchange ideas and keep interested parties informed on networking technology issues. The three day workshop focused on two major topic areas: Communication Protocols and Terrain Databases., See also Volume 3, ADA241114.

IST is developing a low cost Aviation Test Bed to investigate fidelity issues in low cost aviation and networking. This paper addresses the issue of determining a simulator's position or utility in the domain of networked simulation. In order to determine the simulator's utility in this domain, assessment and interfacing methods must be developed. IST is developing a new simulator performance assessment system and a general purpose design to network dissimilar simulators. A three step approach of design, fabrication, and testing is being used to develop a simulator performance assessment system. The design phase includes requirements definitions, and design approaches. The fabrication phase includes integration of off the-shelf equipment. The testing phase includes both system tests which validate the component design, and operational tests which gather and reduce simulator performance data. IST's approach to assessing simulator performance is novel in two ways: the approach uses parameter identification methods to establish a relationship between the aircraft, the simulation, and the piloted simulator; and it uses video tape to capture flight relevant cues for parameter identification.

This report presents a summary of the activities of the Second Conference on Standards for the Interoperability of Defense Simulations sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Program Manager for Training Devices (PM TRADE). This is the second workshop concerning the development of technical standards for networking defense simulations. These standards are intended to meet the needs of large scale simulated engagements systems which are increasingly being used to support system acquisition, testing and evaluation, and tactical warfare simulation and training in the Department of Defense (DOD). The primary goals of this workshop were to provide a forum to discuss issues prior to the development of a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) level standard, to capture networking requirements and needs, to exchange ideas, and to keep interested parties informed on networking technology issues. The three day workshop focused on two major topic areas: Communication Protocols and Terrain Databases., See also Volume 2, AD-A241 113.

This report presents a summary of the activities of the First Conference on Standards for the Interoperability of Defense Simulations sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Program Manager for Training Devices (PM TRADE), and hosted by the Institute for Simulation and Training/University of Central Florida (IST/UCF) on 22 and 23 August 1989, in Orlando, FL. The primary goal of the workshop was to take the first steps required to begin the process of developing standards to be used for the interoperability of Defense Simulations. The two day workshop focused on two major topic areas: Network Communications and Terrain Data Bases. The Network Communications Working Group had two main objectives. The first objective was to determine whether the existing SIMNET Network and Protocols (July 31, 1989) would be suitable as a networking standard, and if not, recommend modifications and/or extensions to the SIMNET Protocol in order to implement networked simulations. The second main objective was to identify those willing to work the issues to achieve an Interoperability standard for simulation systems, and to then proceed with a formal Standardization Procedure (i.e., IEEE or MIL SPEC) for the Protocol. The Terrain Data Bases Working group's main objectives were to establish an understanding of terrain database issues necessary to support development of interoperational network simulation standards and to set up a mechanism for working issues to support these efforts.