Research Topics

Complex human state attributes (e.g., stress, fatigue) can be difficult to quantify robustly and reliably and can vary widely both within and across individuals and contexts. We are looking for novel analytic approaches that make use of a variety of multimodal data to generate meaningful and reliable metrics of human state attributes.

Our users experience difficult challenges such as: high cognitive workload situations, high stakes tactical scenarios, complex data problems (including data visualization and overcoming cognitive bias), safety critical operations, and collaboration across distributed teams. We are looking for strong user-centered research skills, and innovative application of interaction and visual design principles to create usable, engaging, modern, and intuitive interfaces for cutting-edge systems sponsored by the US Government, commercial customers, and internal R&D projects.

Despite the promise of Human-Machine (AI/Autonomy) symbiosis – leveraging the strengths of each, Human-Machine Teaming (HMT) has proven to be challenging.  Continued research and development into such areas as shared situational awareness, new forms of sensing and feedback for machines to understand the cognitive state of their human teammates, adaptive mixed-initiative decision making are among the gaps for advancing HMT capabilities for real-world applications.

Our System Engineering processes from concept development, requirements formulation, system design trade studies, detailed design, test, and validation and verification are centered around maturing Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRL), but not yet as focused on Human Readiness Level (HRL).  We are interested in R&D efforts to help support such maturation of capabilities.