APTIMA INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N162-090

Description

An increasing need for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to perform intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions has led to a critical need for UAS operators and imagery analysts to maintain constant attention throughout extended shifts. Fatigue inevitably leads to a lapse in vigilance, causing degraded performance and an increase in errors. Current training techniques do not address this issue, focusing primarily on job-related technical skills, and are rarely adapted for individual differences in learning characteristics. In response to this need, Aptima will develop ALERT2: Adaptive Learning Environment for Reliable Training Transfer. ALERT2 will be an adaptive system for generating individualized instruction focused on developing sustained attention. ALERT2 will conduct real-time assessments of trainee performance, mission states, and UAS-specific factors throughout a training exercise to dynamically adapt scenarios for optimized attentional training. By integrating with existing training systems and adapting existing scenarios, ALERT2 will provide a lightweight, cost-effective method for training sustained attention in UAS operators and imagery analysts.