Real-time Non-Invasive Monitoring of C21SR Cognitive Performance Using Off-Body Sensors

This project will develop advanced technologies for reliable, unobtrusive measurement of C2ISR operator cognitive states. In Phase I we successfully related the number, placement, and required fidelity of electrodes with accuracy in classifying fatigue in the presence of interfering noise sources. The Phase II project will combine knowledge in the development of high-impedance bioelectrodes with state-of-the-art (SoA) computational methods for estimation, classification, and prediction of fatigue and mental workload. The Phase II study will measure EEG, EOG, and ECG using side-by-side QUASAR biosensors and conventional electrodes in subjects performing simulated Air Force Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) operations. These measures will be related to cognitive/emotional states and task performance via SoA computational models, which will be developed specifically for reliable detection of performance degradations attributable to the combined effects of insufficient sleep and cognitive overload. The result will be a sensor and computational system that will offer the opportunity to implement countermeasures to prevent serious performance failures. At the end of the Phase II project, we will demonstrate a prototype system for the assessment of UCAV operator performance. The target configuration is a noninvasive array of head- and body-worn sensors, a compact computing system, and software for application development.