Physical Augmentation: Tech for Human Interactions
Abstract
This Project advances the understanding of human augmentation and interaction for enhanced operational performance with a focus on adaptation, training, human variability, metrics/methodologies for assessment, and task quantification. Research encompasses conducting applied research to develop metrics, measures, tools, and techniques to quantify and understand the relationships that enable maximum effectiveness of integrated Soldier-augmentation technologies. The resulting data are the basis for physical augmentation systems and equipment design standards, guidelines, and intelligent agent requirements to improve equipment operation and Soldier- system synergy. Application of this research will yield reduced workload, reduced Soldier training requirements, enhanced Soldier lethality/survivability, user acceptance, and allow Soldiers to achieve maximum performance. Major efforts explore novel techniques for Soldier assessment, characterization of individual variability effects on performance, development of evidence-based design guidance for the application of augmentation technologies, exploration of the relationship of exoskeleton and physical-assist device adaptation and baseline Soldier parameters such as gait, neuromuscular motor control and proprioception. This Project will also explore novel training paradigms for reduced Soldier-augmentation technology adaptation times to address current and future warrior performance issues. Individual efforts exploit wearable sensor technologies, translate surrogate task performance to operational outcomes, develop approaches to distinguish tasks and individual state and intent of movement, establish database of human movement variability to inform intelligent system design, and identify high impact applications of augmentation. Work in this Project supports key Army needs and leverages the technical research of several Program Elements (PEs) to include PE 0602143A (Soldier Lethality Technology) / Project BC2 (Next Gen Mobility & Lethality Tech for Warfighters) and Project BC6 (Human Perf - Tech for Warfighter Enhancement); and supports PE 0603118A (Soldier Lethality Advanced Technology) / Project BC1 (Human Performance AdvTech for Mobility & Lethality). Additionally, work in this Project complements and is fully coordinated with the Medical Research and Development Command under the Military Operational Medicine Research Program within PE 0602787A (Medical Technology) / Project MK4 (Warfighter Health Applied Research Technology), and the Veteran Administration's exoskeleton research area. This Project also complements and is fully coordinated with work performed across Army, Navy, and Air Force under the Reliance 21 Human Systems Community of Interest: Protection, Sustainment, and Warfighter Performance and with our international partners through The Technical Cooperation Program / Human Resources and Performance Group / Panel JP1 (TTCP HUM JP1). The cited work is consistent with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas and the Army Modernization Strategy. Work in this Project is performed by the United States Army Futures Command (AFC).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2024
- Source ID
- BB5_0602143A_2_2040_PB_2024
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