Assessing Intelligent Software Agents for Training Maritime Patrol Aircraft Crews
Abstract
Training simulators often require the participation of several people to play the role of supporting players in the simulated operation. Use of intelligent software agents to play the role of these personnel has the potential to reduce support staff and increase an instructor's control of training. This report evaluates a simulator prototype developed for the CP140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft that incorporated intelligent software agents to play the roles of the Tactical Navigator and an Acoustic Sensor Operator. Human crews, intelligent agent crews, and mixed human-agent crews performed a simulated antisubmarine mission. Mission performance and crew communications were recorded and rated to determine whether the intelligent software agents could perform individual crewmember functions and whether they could provide the interaction necessary for crew coordination training. The results indicate that: (1) agents can perform individual crewmembers' functions; (2) agent interaction with humans is sufficient to allow humans to perform their own tasks; and (3) the agents did not interact in a way suitable for crew coordination training. It is concluded that the prototype is suitable for supporting individual training, but the agents' knowledge base must explicitly address team dynamics if crew coordination training is to be supported.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA400717
Entities
People
- Stuart C. Grant
Organizations
- Defence Research and Development Canada