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Developing an Intermediate Augmented Reality Capability for Infantry
Navy SBIR 2019.1 - Topic N191-042 ONR - Ms. Lore-Anne Ponirakis - [email protected] Opens: January 8, 2019 - Closes: February 6, 2019 (8:00 PM ET)
TECHNOLOGY
AREA(S): Human Systems, Information Systems ACQUISITION
PROGRAM: PM TRASYS OBJECTIVE:
Develop an optical see-through, head mounted device (HMD) and associated
peripherals to enhance situational awareness for dismounted Warfighters in any
environment (e.g., indoor or outdoor). This device is to be an intermediate
solution to full Augmented Reality (AR); and used to build situational
awareness via the HMD, but without the full capabilities needed for AR:
position, location, and/or head tracking of full AR that displays entities
tethered to the real world. DESCRIPTION:
Achieving higher levels of situational awareness in uncertain, unstructured,
and dynamic environments is critical for dismounted operations. Currently a
tablet using specialized software is available to view full motion video and
other battlefield control measures; accessing this information requires the
user to shift attention from what is in front of him/her and look down at the
screen. Hardware and software visualization of key battlefield information with
AR is currently under development [Ref 1], but this �full AR� requires
computing power and visualization techniques that may not always be necessary to
improve the situational awareness of the warfighter. To provide more near-term
solutions, development of an intermediate AR solution is desired. Previous Navy
SBIR topics have been focused on development of full AR, while this SBIR topic
is focused on intermediate capability optimized towards near-term solutions
that enhance situation awareness, and away from end-state full AR capabilities
such as a large field of view (FOV), perfect brightness, and perfect contrast.
The desire for intermediate AR is to introduce the dismounted Warfighters to
HMD displays and information in the field of view, without inserting entities
that are tethered to the real world. Successful development will allow
dismounted troops to view and select desired information to increase situational
awareness but leave off the need to track the wearer�s movements and/or
correlate the display of augmented icons with the real world. A prototype
display device using the proposed intermediate A/R solution, as opposed to the
full A/R in Ref 1, will be available for field testing within 12 months. PHASE
I: Analyze the system architectures and capabilities of existing HMDs for use
in indoor/outdoor and intermediate AR applications. Provide a detailed analysis
of the amount and type of information that may be displayed, but not clutter or
overwhelm the viewer. Develop a detailed architectural description and clearly
identifying all primary functional elements and the development required to
sufficiently mature the approach. Develop plans for Phase II. If human subjects
testing is anticipated during Phase II, due to the potential delays in the
review and approval process, prepare and submit Intuitional Review Board (IRB)
documentation during the Phase I option period, if awarded. PHASE
II: Develop a prototype optical see-through device that is compatible with
current Program of Record individual protective equipment, exploring viable
display solutions (microLEDs, OLEDs, etc.), and able to build situational
awareness of the user (as defined during Phase I) in an indoor/outdoor
environment. Considerations of prototype development include cost, SWaP-C,
image quality, field of view, contrast, illumination, brightness, durability,
and possibly others. Again, an intermediate solution may only optimize on a few
key features to achieve a near-term solution. Conduct research experiments to
examine the impact of the intermediate solution compared to current solutions
(e.g., tablets). As such, the appropriate human research protections (e.g.,
IRB) will need to be considered. PHASE
III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Support Naval Special Warfare and Marine Corps
stakeholders in transitioning the HMD device. Support stakeholders with
integrating the HMD into service with existing AR training devices. Assist with
certifying and qualifying the HMD system for stakeholders� use. Assist in
writing device user manual(s) and system specifications materials necessary for
stakeholders. REFERENCES: 1.
Freedberg Jr., S. J. �HUD 3.0: Army to Test Augmented Reality for Infantry in
18 Months.� Breaking Defense. March 2018. https://breakingdefense.com/2018/03/hud-3-0-army-to-test-augmented-reality-for-infantry-in-18-months/ 2.
N162-123. �Augmented Reality Technologies for Training: A Video-See-Through,
Helmet Mounted Display�. Small Business Administration. https://www.sbir.gov/sbirsearch/detail/1144361 3.
N171-091. �Synthetic Vision for Ground Forces�. Small Business Administration. https://www.sbir.gov/sbirsearch/detail/1208567 KEYWORDS:
Augmented Reality; Sensing; C4I; Head-mounted Devices; Video Display; Command
and Control; Intermediate AR
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