Transportable Multi-Modal Interactive Device for the Dismounted Soldier

TERI will develop and demonstrate a Transportable Multi-Modal Interface Device (TM2ID) that provides the soldier enhanced operational capabilities as part of the Objective Force, including the Future Combat System (FCS) and Objective Force Warriorprograms. This TM2ID will be capable of field mission planning and rehersal as a lightweight, portable computing device similar to the OFW Soldier Land Warrior (LW) System. TERI proposes an interface that uses speech, eye-gaze, display and 3-D audiotechnologies without adding additional weight or bulky add-ons to a commercial handheld computer. The unit provides a set of interactive multi-modal interfaces for high level commands and interface bandwidth to communicate commands, conduct training,situation awareness and mission planning. Phase I objectives include an engineering design and feasibility demonstration of key technologies for the TM2ID. In order to support a higher level of soldier performance, these technologies will exploitEmbedded Training (ET) as a means of soldier enhancement. This research effort will mature several technology breakthroughs as an enhancement to natural language speech and understanding linguistics that permit the soldier to perform the mission functions projected in the future Objective Force Warrior (OFW)with a TM2ID. These mission functions include the C3 required for mounted and dismounted tactical: situation assessment (enemy and friendly), planning, execution, status reporting, location reporting, synchronized action, reconnaissance andphysical/psychological well-being. Innovative use of voice technology is integrated with intelligent Tactical Operation Aids (TOAs) to overcome error and coordinate the Multi-Modal Interface (MMI) components to improve situation awareness and computingdevice control. This intelligent interface approach responds to the