Communication-based Operational Multi-Modal Automated Navigation Device (COMMAND)

This SBIR seeks to design, develop, and validate a Communication and Operational Multi-Modal Automated Navigation Device (COMMAND) that 1) combines AnthroTronix, Inc. (ATinc)'s existing Haptic Automated Communication System (HACS) and Engineering Acoustic Inc's tactors with the Lockheed Martin Distributed Operations (DisOPS) GPS-driven mission planning and support system, and 2) incorporates a novel software system (WayPOINT) to provide intelligent, automated multimodal information processing and display to support dismount infantry operations. The system will support a variety of input modalities, including automated recognition of standard hand and arm signal communications using ATinc's instrumented glove (iGlove), and output modalities, including haptic feedback, auditory feedback, and visual feedback on a map-based display. The Phase I effort included development of a prototype system and initial validation of the system within a pilot experiment comparing performance on a dual task using singular and combined input and output modalities. The Phase I Option and Phase II efforts will expand on the haptic language development, expand the capabilities of the WayPOINT software, and validate the COMMAND prototype through a series of experiments, including within the context of an operational task with active duty military personnel.