System to Evaluate and Assess Holistic Aircrew Workload (SEAHAWK)

The Navy is continually developing new technologies to improve warfighting effectiveness. These technologies risk overloading Aircrews cognitive capacities, degrading performance. To mitigate that risk, the Navy needs a system to assess Aircrews physical and cognitive workloads unobtrusively and objectively. To meet these requirements, Charles River Analytics conducted a Phase I effort to design and demonstrate a System to Evaluate and Assess Holistic Aircrew Workload (SEAHAWK). Based on the success of this effort, we propose a Phase II effort to: (1) refine the sensor suite according to the needs of PMA labs; (2) iteratively evaluate and validate SEAHAWK; (3) refine algorithms to process, fuse, and interpret data for accurate cognitive workload assessments during both cognitive and physical tasks, which is often the focus of PMA labs (e.g., testing protocols for a new ejector seat); (4) expand algorithms to extrapolate effects of expertise development on cognitive workload using hierarchical models that are more accurate across different types of tasks and different types of participants (e.g., novices versus experts); (5) refine the SEAHAWK UI to meet the needs of PMA lab personnel; (6) develop an integrated SEAHAWK system; and (7) pursue suitable transition and commercialization opportunities.