Completed Projects

 

Trainer Assets Management Systems (TAMS)

Under a Phase I SBIR, the DI team designed the Trainer Assets Management System (TAMS), a handheld event-based performance measurement tool to support training preparation (via training objective selection and historical performance data review), observation, and assessment of trainee performance, in addition to providing feedback to trainers/trainees. TAMS is a theoretically driven product, focused on identifying and minimizing sources of trainer workload across the training cycle. The TAMS aims to provide automated tools and methods for trainers that allow them to integrate automated performance data collection, data reduction, assessment using expert models, diagnosis using mathematical models, and archives of trainee performance.

back to top

Speech, Earcons, and Auditory Spatial Signals (SEAS)

Military personnel are required to make decisions in rapidly dynamic developing situations. Oftentimes, information is poorly organized, represented, and displayed using standard visual interaction paradigms. The challenge to designers is to create interfaces that allow individuals to process an optimal amount of essential data by amplifying cognition via optimizing the distribution of human information processing. One approach with great potential is to leverage the auditory paradigm of Speech, Earcons, and Auditory Spatial Signals (SEAS). This project developed theoretically sound, principle driven design guidelines from the perspective of cognitive science, neuroergonomics, and human computer interaction theories using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) application. The main goal of such multimodal interaction is to augment traditional visual interaction with auditory cues such that human information management capacity is substantially enhanced.

back to top

Training Effectiveness and Usability for ONR’s VIRTE program

Design Interactive is currently developing models and theories for multi-modal sensory integration in support of training transfer, building a human performance metric toolkit that can be used to assess training transfer, and conducting a set of training transfer studies that validate the theorized models, theories, and metrics that are relevant for the evaluation of VIRTE systems. DI has developed an approach to apply the HSI approach to the training domain, so that the interactive, egocentric, and affective cues that allow trainees to practice core competencies are identified and folded into the system requirements for validation. The goal of this effort is to develop design science to enhance reciprocity between training theory and practice. In conjunction with our training transfer efforts, we are conducting a training effectiveness evaluation for the Combined Arms Staff Trainer (CAST). Design Interactive is developing a set of metrics that can be used to examine the degree that Communication, Coordination and Allocation (CCA) of CAST teams is supported through iterative system builds.

back to top

Usability Evaluation for the Conning Officer Virtual Environment (COVE)

Design Interactive was contracted by NAVAIR Orlando, TSD to provide iterative usability evaluation for the COVE trainer. COVE provides technology to the Surface Warfare Community to train or refresh "seaman's eye". It is a flexible, portable unit that can be used in the schoolhouse or is deployable onboard ship. Central to its concept is the extensive integration of new intelligent tutor techniques with state-of-the-art virtual environments (VE). COVE is intended to produce a unique blending of the two emergent technologies, in such a way as to vastly increase the training effectiveness that neither would achieve alone. Design Interactive provided consultation on the usability of the system, the VE technologies used, including hardware and software, sickness issues and performance measurement.

back to top

Theme Park Rider Experience Analyis

DI was contracted by a major theme park operator to provide guidance and user testing for a major new attraction. DI focused on the quality of user experience and potential issues of guest sickness due to the intensity of the ride experience. Ethnographic analysis of potential guest riders was created, and iterative tests of user experience on the attraction were provided. Issues of post-experience sickness and symptomology were highlighted.

 

Back to current projects