DARPA Integrated Augmented Reality Model
Aiding Complex Decision Making in the Military Through Augmented Reality
About a year ago, Tanagram was awarded a DARPA research grant to design a system that serves to improve the situational awareness (SA) of soldiers deployed in contested (dangerous) cultures. To address this goal we developed a server / client based architecture that responds to the program needs by providing digital augmentation of the surrounding environment.
This system, named iARM (Intelligent Augmented Reality Model), encompasses an open source operating system supporting geolocation and triangulation, together with data services that integrate voice, video and image for facial/object recognition and pattern analysis. It is supported by a hardware platform integrating a computer processor, encrypted wireless, camera/video and visual display.
iARM shows the potential to enhance communication and information sharing at the squad, platoon and even headquarters levels, while actually reducing cognitive load through data visualization. It is supported by a natural user interface (NUI) relying on simple movements by soldiers to update the system’s collective knowledge base. No mouse or external device is needed. The NUI’s hybrid input approach combines gesture, voice and context to create a very intuitive experience to foster quick learning and fast, simple updating of data in real-time. The result is a non-intrusive system that can be quickly assimilated into the routine of the infantryman and squad.
In June 2010, Tanagram introduced the iARM platform at the ARE (Augmented Reality Event) 2010 conference. We hope to be able to share that video shortly. In the meantime you can follow the progress of iARM here: http://spill.tanagram.com/tag/iARM/