Directed Energy Decision-Aid and HMI Enhanced Adaptive Display

To address the Navy’s need for cognitive science-based display technology that maximizes high-energy laser (HEL) weapon human-machine interface (HMI), Intellisense Systems, Inc. proposes to develop a new Directed Energy Decision-Aid and HMI Enhanced Adaptive Display (DED-AHEAD). The proposed display technology combines closed-loop HMI analysis and visual enhancement based on modern human cognitive science. It is designed for improving operator focus and situational awareness, coupled with low cognitive load symbology improvements. Specifically, the innovation in closed-loop analysis and display enhancements to reduce cognitive load and increase operator effectiveness will enable Intellisense to generate a unique HMI style guide for use by the Navy to translate into tactical code. In Phase I Intellisense will develop a concept of an HEL weapon HMI through analysis and modeling of the DED-AHEAD proposed display architecture for simulation and evaluation of closed-loop optimization of the HMI. Intellisense’s strategic partner will provide further insights for HEL system integration, leading to the feasibility demonstration of the technology that compares the baseline HEL HMI with the new DED-AHEAD enhanced HMI. Derivation of capabilities of the surrogate display hardware prototype will be demonstrated in Phase II. In Phase II, Intellisense also plans to fully develop a prototype of the DED-AHEAD derived HMI concept for HEL weapon operator stations with surrogate computer hardware and displays using nontactical code emulating tactical displays. The Phase II development will culminate in finalized specifications for the HMI style guide, which will be demonstrated using the surrogate hardware displays to government subject matter experts and program managers.