Development of a System for Tactile Reception of Advanced Patterns (STRAP) to Support Bi-directional Haptic Communication

Conditions on the battlefield sometimes make it difficult to effectively provide critical updates to team members using current communication methods. To resolve this problem, this effort seeks to develop a bi-directional haptic automated communication system (HACS) that is capable of presenting information communicated with hand signals through a tactile vest. Following an iterative design process, the tactile language and haptic presentation vest will be tested and modified to ensure that the core technology is of highest utility to users. The technology will then be extended to include a training and evaluation tool to guide users through learning the new communication modality. Upon validation, the tactile language presentation system will be combined with a gesture recognition and automated status evaluation component developed under an associated effort. As part of this integration effort, a multimodal commander interface will be developed in order to ensure that the information recorded with the status evaluation component is optimally presented up the chain of command. After HACS system integration, the system will be rigorously tested in the lab and during field exercises to ensure that is will provide added benefits to warfighters when fielded.