Tools for Creating Objects and Behaviors for Distributed Simulations with a Cultural Context

For this Phase I SBIR project, we will identify key aspects of culturally-influenced behaviors that can impact a soldier's or junior leader's ability to successfully communicate and collaborate with local populations and coalition forces during the conduct of peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. Based on this analysis, we will develop a conceptual framework for modeling these behaviors such that they may be used in distributed training simulations. Using Vcom3D and third-party authoring tools, we will develop and evaluate simulations of culture-specific behaviors, and will demonstrate these in proof-of-concept training scenarios. Working with our subcontractors, Forterra Systems and Soar Technologies, we will also demonstrate how these behaviors can be integrated with multi-player gaming platforms and with computer-generated forces. Key features of the proposed approach include: • Use of a library of over 600 "context aware", culture-specific behaviors originally developed for the DARWARS initiative. • Highly detailed virtual human models capable of multi-lingual speech with lip-sync, facial expression, gesture, proxemic, and haptic behaviors. For Phase II, we will use lessons learned from Phase I to develop a fully functional, extensible prototype simulation and supporting toolset that can be used to create training simulations that embed both computer-generated and player-controlled characters with culture-specific behaviors.