Multisensory Navigation and Communications System

Combat environments can subject personnel to extreme conditions, testing the limits of both their physical and cognitive abilities. Tactile displays offer a relatively untapped channel for dismounted warfighter navigation, and can be an effective communication modality even under situations where the conventional communication channels such as visual, audio and even vestibular become disorientated. This proposal leverages off EAI"s previously developed linear actuator tactile transducers, controllers and belt technology and proposes to extend it into a proof-of-concept system that enables the investigation of multisensory navigation among dismounted soldiers. The system would enable soldiers to quickly navigate to or away from specified waypoints or areas, while maintaining radio silence and light security. The resulting system has the potential to greatly improve the dismounted warfighter"s individual and team performance and survivability by improving situational awareness and communication in the combat environment.