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Objective Live-Training Infantry Performance Metrics for Automated After Action
Navy SBIR 2008.2 - Topic N08-111 MARCOR - Mr. Paul Lambert - [email protected] Opens: May 19, 2008 - Closes: June 18, 2008 N08-111 TITLE: Objective Live-Training Infantry Performance Metrics for Automated After Action TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Human Systems ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMTRASYS ACAT III OBJECTIVE: To investigate and develop computer-based infantry team performance assessment tools that utilize objective data captured during live training, that can be integrated into After-Action Review systems, and that automate the tagging of events where feedback on team performance would be desired by Marine Corps instructors. DESCRIPTION: Live training remains the preferred method of training for Marine Corps infantry operations. However, live training exercises are often too long (lasting hours to days), and too large (both in the number of trainees and the physical field of operations) for instructors to view, process, and provide feedback on all of the training relevant events that take place. A single building clearing exercise in urban combat training, for example, could involve anywhere from 13 to 40 trainees moving in a distributed, but coordinated manner, both outside and inside the building � with trainees searching and engaging hostile or neutral role-players in multiple rooms and on multiple floors at the same time. More and more live training facilities are being instrumented with both video-recording and trainee tracking systems, however, unprocessed recordings of live training exercises are often too large to be of use for timely After Action Review (AAR). Computer-based tools are needed to analyze time series and/or discrete event data, identify deviations from desired team performance, and automatically annotate video-recordings or other data logs. Analyses comparing coordinated movement through an exercise to those previously identified from expert behavior datasets, for example, could be used as a means to "flag" instances where coordination breaks down (Jirsa and Kelso, 2005). Instructors could then construct AAR feedback more quickly by screening just these instances. Other sources of data in training exercises that may be recorded and available for computer-based analyses might include audio communications, and the timing, source, and site of impact for shots fired (Lampton et al, 2005, Salas et al., 2007). A system capable of identifying deviations from desired team performance would enable Marine Corps instructors to screen large training logs for rapid preparation of AAR materials. PHASE I: Conduct a study that (1) identifies and demonstrates computational algorithms for recognizing deviations from desired team performance based on team movement, communications, and/or discrete actions within a live room-clearing exercise; and (2) proposes a framework for expanding these methods to handle team performance assessment in an indoor/outdoor live urban combat environment. PHASE II: Implement the proposed framework and demonstrate its effectiveness in assessing live team performance as part of an AAR system. Ideally, development and validation of the team performance assessment algorithms would be carried out with Marine Corps subject matter expert input and guidance. PHASE III: Refine and integrate the validated framework and its associated systems into Marine training facilities. PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Successful development of the proposed team training assessment technologies should have application within commercial and industrial facilities where coordinated and cohesive team performance enhances safety, improves productivity, and/or offers significant cost savings. REFERENCES: 2. Jirsa VK, Kelso JAS "The excitator as a minimal model for the coordination dynamics of discrete and rhythmic movement generation." JOURNAL OF MOTOR BEHAVIOR 37 (1): 35-51 JAN 2005. 3. Salas E, Rosen MA, Burke CS, Nicholson D, Howse WR. "Markers for enhancing team cognition in complex environments: The power of team performance diagnosis." AVIATION SPACE AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE 78 (5): B77-B85 Suppl. S, MAY 2007. KEYWORDS: Team training; live training; behavior; team coordination; team cohesion; team communication.
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