SkyFall Navy SBIR FY2016.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2016.1 Topic No.: N161-007 Topic Title: SkyFall Proposal No.: N161-007-0531 Firm: Soar Technology, Inc. 3600 Green Court Suite 600 Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105 Contact: Brian Stensrud Phone: (407) 249-0454 Web Site: http://www.soartech.com Abstract: Parachute Descent Procedure (PDP) training helps Naval aircrew learn and refresh their skills properly maneuvering a parachute to a safe landing, both over-land and over-water. Currently, aviators train PDPs using the "Parachute Descent Virtual Reality Trainer," which is deficient in several key ways including (1) the inability to view the harness and gear while wearing the included head-mounted display, (2) its incompatibility with standard flight equipment, and (3) the low quality of the projected visuals. Desired is a new training solution that takes advantage of new technology. SoarTech envisions a training solution that features (1) a more realistic virtual environment to situate the training, (2) a better means by which to track trainee parachute operation, (3) support for different aircraft, and (4) an embedded means for tracking/assessing trainee decision making where appropriate. In this proposal, we propose a revamped capability, entitled SkyFall, which exploits both new technology and leverages our significant expertise in gesture and image recognition, simulated training and virtual environments. We propose for Phase I to design, develop and demonstrate a proof-of-concept exemplar in a representative physical setup. SoarTech shall then develop a fully-functional PDP malfunction and decision-making training system by the conclusion of the Phase II effort. Benefits: This SBIR topic is specifically authored to produce a technology to eventually replace the current parachute descent procedures virtual reality training system. As such, our strategy throughout the course of the SBIR (Phase I and Phase II) will be to align our development process with the needs and realities of this system, to include physical, programmatic and cost constraints. SkyFall will provide a more effective and more realistic training capability by integrating a contemporary virtual environment, adding gesture and image-based recognition to detect student activity, and replacing the current HMD with a monitor solution providing visual access to the parachute gear during training. By implementing an image- and gesture-recognition approach to tracking student activities in the trainer, the SkyFall system will be infinitely reconfigurable, through software to support to multiple aircrew equipment variations without requiring any changes to the system instrumentation. This feature will result in reduced total lifecycle costs. Finally, SkyFall will feature a virtual practice environment based on the Unreal 4 gaming system (UE4). This environment will include a realistic, variable terrain as well as configurable, dynamic environmental effects relevant to parachute descent such as wind and time-of-day, which will significantly improve training quality. Return