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Augmented Cognition TG. Davin Pavlas. Overview. Augmented Cognition ( AugCog ) is one of the newer Human Factors technical groups. Main goal, as is suggested by the name, is to further human cognition. Study: Physiological sensors Cognitive bottlenecks Real-time decision support
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Augmented Cognition TG Davin Pavlas
Overview • Augmented Cognition (AugCog) is one of the newer Human Factors technical groups. • Main goal, as is suggested by the name, is to further human cognition. • Study: • Physiological sensors • Cognitive bottlenecks • Real-time decision support • Interdisciplinary! Neuroscience, cognitive psychology, human factors, computer science.
History • In a less direct form, AugCog has been the goal of psychology for some time. • In the 1990s, however, research into using technology to support human attention became popular. • In the year 2001, DARPA opened its own AugCog research program • Monitoring cognitive states w/physio sensors.
So It’s Human Factors? • Partially. Has a focus on physiological measurement and adaptation based on those measurement. • Think: • Real-time decision support systems • Dynamic cognitive prostheses • Cybernetics • User-aware user interfaces • HF designs for the user, AugCog designs to function with the user.
AugCog Examples • From HFES 2008 symposium on AugCog. • Firing range “in the zone” system. • Biofeedback system for marksmanship trainees. • Performance improves when a certain degree of focus is reached. • System provides feedback, lets marksman know when they are sufficiently focused. • When they reach that zone, they fire!
AugCog Examples • Dr. Gilson’s Haptic Feedback System. • Vest that provides pressure information indicating the orientation of the helicopter. • Addresses a cognitive bottleneck: Processing, sensory information available.
AugCog Examples • A more basic science example: DARPA’s Technical Integration Experiment. • Fusion of a variety of physiological measures • Pupil dilation • EEG • Heart rate • Galvanic Skin Response • Used a military aircraft tracking task. • The various “cognitive gauges” identified changes in cognitive activity. • e.g., Perceptual load, vigilance probability, stress
Big Names in AugCog • From UCF: • Kay Stanney • DESIGNinteractive • Denise Nicholson • VIRTE • Peter Hancock • Situation Awareness & Stress • From the field: • Richard Barker (Boeing) • Dylan Schmorrow (Office of Naval Research)
AugCog Careers • As AugCog is a new field, the job market is wide open – and yet also completely restricted. • What can you be? • Academic Researcher • Military/Industrial Researcher • Developer • Given that development is generally evidence-based, these potential positions largely converge upon: Research!
AugCog Careers • Thankfully, a number of institutions care about AugCog: • DARPA • NASA • Cognitive Ergonomics groups such as Nielsen-Norman group • Military • National Institute of Health • If they work with people, cognition, and decisions, AugCog is relevant to them.
AugCog Careers • And AugCog applies to numerous disciplines and contexts. For example: • Using robot systems with military personnel. • Improving decision making in high stress environments. • Developing new sensors and measurement techniques. • Modeling information for use in decision support systems. • Making users more aware of errors. • Improving training by improving trainee information receptiveness.
More AugCog Careers • Thinking outside traditional applications: • Medical (allowing for sensation via alternate means) • Entertainment • Substantial room to integrate AugCog into existing tracks. • Science works to improve technology, society, humanity. • AugCog focuses heavily on technology and humans.
Bottom Line • Augmented Cognition is new, somewhat broad, and extremely open for advances. • Substantial room for new researchers to “make the scene” and contribute something beyond the re-hashing of old knowledge.