TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Human Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: MARCORPSYSCOM PM MERS (Program Manager Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad)

OBJECTIVE: Develop an intuitive easy-to-use tool for field use or lab use, that predicts the motion of an individual Warfighter, optimally distributes equipment among squad members based on individual capabilities and training, and then automatically minimizes the load each individual caries based on mission goals.

DESCRIPTION: A critical issue for today’s Warfighter is the balance between necessary equipment and the restrictions of excessive weight. This research effort should combine approaches for dynamic motion prediction (i.e. Kim et al, 2006; Xiang et al, 2007; Chung et al, 2007) and optimal distribution of equipment among members of a squad, to yield a simulation tool for reducing the load on a Warfighter, thus enhancing the efficiency with which any task or mission can be completed. It is critical to link together equipment-distribution optimization code that considers Warfighter characteristics, optimization-based motion prediction capabilities that simulate the motion of the Warfighter, rigid-body dynamic models that simulate the motion of various pieces of equipment, and a database of equipment characteristics with respect to mission objectives. The result should be an all-inclusive umbrella optimization system that not only distributes equipment based on the strengths of different individuals, but actually highlights which pieces of equipment are most restrictive and then minimizes the load that each Warfighter carries, based on mission requirements for the squad. A key element of this work will be the linking of modeling and simulation capabilities for the individual human with optimization software for actually designing a squad.

With respect to the individual, this effort should include modeling and simulating human motion, predicting visually and numerically how an individual reacts to various changes in anthropometry and the environment. This motion prediction (MP) module should allow one to conduct trade-off analysis and cause-and-effect of changes in the simulation.

The predicted motion of a Warfighter should then be linked with rigid-body dynamic models that simulate the motion of various pieces of equipment. This dynamic equipment module would enable the user to study how various pieces of equipment interact with the human body and with other pieces of equipment.

With respect to the squad, optimization methodologies should be used to determine how equipment is distributed across a squad of Warfighters. This equipment distribution module should consider as input characteristics of individuals (size, strength, fitness, agility, experience, etc.), training history, mission details (threat level, objective, insertion method, etc.), and environment characteristics. As output, this module should determine how to distribute equipment among squad members most effectively.
Finally, the above mentioned modules must be integrated to provide a tool that automatically lightens the load on the Warfighter while considering all parameters. This utility should take as input the users assessment of the available equipment, indicating what types of equipment are critical to the mission. In addition, a database of equipment characteristics is needed, indicating physical properties of the equipment as well as uses for different pieces of equipment.

PHASE I: Determine the feasibility of integrating the various modules. Develop a comprehensive plan indicating the transfer of I/O between modules. This plan should include an indication of critical tasks for the individual as well as exemplary squad missions.

PHASE II: Develop predictive optimization code for each module. The development of these utilities will be based on the plan outlined in Phase I

PHASE III: Refine the functional code provided in Phase II, and conduct a validation of predictive capabilities. In addition, develop the user interfaces to yield a finished product.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This technology will be directly applicable to law enforcement, sports equipment manufacturers, and vehicle manufacturers.

REFERENCES:
1. Abdel-Malek, K., Yang, J., Marler, T., Beck, S., Mathai, A., Zhou, X., Patrick, A., and Arora, J. (2006), "Towards a New Generation of Virtual Humans," International Journal of Human Factors Modelling and Simulation, 1, 1, 2-39.

2. Arora, J. S. (2004), Introduction to Optimal Design, 2nd Ed., Elsevier Academic Press, New York.

3. Chung, H. –J., Xiang, Y., Mathai, A., Rahmatalla, S., Kim, J., Marler, T., Beck, S., Yang, J., Arora, J., and Abdel-Malek, K. (2007), "A Robust Formulation for Prediction of Human Running," SAE Human Modeling for Design and Engineering Conference, June, Seattle, WA, Society of Automotive Engineers, Warrendale, PA, SAE paper number 2007-01-2490.

4. Kim, J. H., Abdel-Malek, K., Yang, J., and Marler, R. T. (2006), "Prediction and Analysis of Human Motion Dynamics Performing Various Tasks," International Journal of Human Factors Modelling and Simulation, 1 (1), 69-94.

5. Xiang, Y., Chung, H. J., Mathai, A., Rahmatalla, S., Kim, J., Marler, T., Beck, S., Yang, J., Arora, J. S., and Abdel-Malek, K. (2007), "Optimization-based Dynamic Human Walking Prediction," SAE Human Modeling for Design and Engineering Conference, June, Seattle, WA, Society of Automotive Engineers, Warrendale, PA, SAE paper number 2007-01-2489.

KEYWORDS: optimization, human modeling, modeling and simulation, dynamics, lighten the load, motion

TPOC: Dylan Schmorrow
Phone: (703)696-0360
Fax: (703)696-1212
Email: schmord@onr.navy.mil
2nd TPOC: Karl VanOrden
Phone: (619)553-9289
Fax:
Email: karl.vanorden@med.navy.mil