APTIMA INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N171-021

Description

Although augmented reality (AR) is a promising technology, it has not yet made a substantial impact in the training domain. While there is a lot of research in specific low-level cognitive and perceptual tasking, the research results have not yet been shown to apply to the training domain, making it difficult to compare with other technologies. In response to these challenges, Aptima, Inc. proposes to design, develop, and commercialize the Mixed and Immersive Reality Assessment Generation Engine (MIRAGE), a quantitative analysis tool consisting of an experimental methodology, an AR testbed capable of emulating AR device characteristics within virtual reality environments, three comparative training solutions, and a decision support tool that automates data collection and provides analysis on experimental results. MIRAGE will provide to NAWCTSD researchers an experimental framework that will allow researchers to develop experiments to assess the impact of device characteristics and affordances. Researchers will be able perform effectiveness assessments using simulated AR head-mounted displays to determine the capability of AR now and to predict its feasibility in the future. MIRAGE will support automated data collection through system-based measurement, giving researchers the objective data they need to compare the effectiveness of AR training solutions with other comparable solutions.