COSMIC: Collaborative Optimization System for Mixed-Initiative Control

We propose to produce COSMIC (Collaborative Optimization System for Mixed Initiative Control), a unique collaborative environment allowing multiple operators of heterogeneous unmanned vehicles to coordinate their efforts in accomplishing multiple high-level missions. Building on the work of the MiDAS (Mission Displays for Autonomous Systems) project, this environment will integrate an existing Aptima product called MOST (Model of Organizations, Systems, and Technologies) for optimally planning human team behavior with Lockheed’s ICARUS (Intelligent Control and Autonomous Replanning of Unmanned Systems) testbed and its local autonomy planning algorithms to ensure maximally effective mission performance. The same CWA (Cognitive Work Analysis) approach applied to constructing the interaction design of MiDAS will be extended to the multiple watch-station domain of COSMIC. The result will be a collaborative environment and operator interface that ensures optimal team behavior in coordinating autonomous vehicle resources. In Phase I, we will define collaborative interaction in this domain; design COSMIC functionality, architecture, interface to ICARUS, and interface to the user; develop a computational team model; and plan evaluations and formative assessments. In Phase II, Aptima will fully implement COSMIC for a broad set of missions, including complete functional integration with the ICARUS testbed.