1 / 16

Army Digitization Research Initiative

Army Digitization Research Initiative. Dr. Richard A. Volz (Computer Science) Dr. Tom Ioerger (Computer Science) Dr. John Yen (Computer Science) Dr. James Wall (TCAT) Randy Elms (TCAT) Look College of Engineering Town Hall Meeting May 11, 2000. Background.

hakan
Download Presentation

Army Digitization Research Initiative

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Army Digitization Research Initiative Dr. Richard A. Volz (Computer Science) Dr. Tom Ioerger (Computer Science) Dr. John Yen (Computer Science) Dr. James Wall (TCAT) Randy Elms (TCAT) Look College of Engineering Town Hall Meeting May 11, 2000

  2. Background • UT Austin & Texas A&M proposed a joint 5 year congressional initiative to support digitization research at Fort Hood • Congressionally funded, equally split between UT & A&M • Army Digitization Office (ADO) solicited proposals from Army Major Commands • Major Commands and Agencies Participating: • National Simulation Center • OneSAF TRADOC Program Office • Simulation, Training and Instrumentation Command • Central Technical Support Facility • Full-time, on-site presence at Fort Hood

  3. Tasks Funds Funds Funds Tasks & Funding Tasks ? FY 01 1 - Embedded Training Design Support 2 - Joint Mapping Tool Kit 3D Enhancement 3 - Simulation C4I - SIMCI Support 4 - One SAF/Staff Training Project 5 - Training & Operational Data Synchronizer $2M [Requested] $1M [Army budgeted] FY 00 $2M [Congress] $.5M [Army contribution] Tasks 1 - Conduct Battle Staff Training FEA 2 - Correlate to Mission Essential Tasks 3 - Model a Set of Staff Behaviors 4 - Conduct C4I - Simulation Interface Analysis $2M [Congress set aside] FY 99

  4. Objective • To develop an agent-based computational framework for simulating adaptiveTOC (Tactical Operating Center) teamwork process for reducing the cost of training digital force • Generate more intelligent/autonomous behavior at aggregate level (companies, battalions, brigades) for networked “wargame” simulations

  5. What is agent-based adaptive TOC Teamwork ? • Virtual TOC staff (I.e., software) interacts with the human trainees and adapts their actions to • battlefield situations (e.g., enemy maneuver & intent) • battle plan, commander’s intent • trainee’s actions • trainee’s profiles • training objectives

  6. Major Technical Barriers • Needs a language for describing TOC teamwork processes, strategies, and procedures. • Needs an agent algorithm that can react to dynamic changes in the environment. • Need to simulate cooperative interactions among friendly units (e.g. information sharing, coordination).

  7. Our Approach • Developed a Task Representation Language (TRL) suitable for describing TOC teamwork processes and actions. • Developed a integrated reactive planning and plan execution monitoring algorithm for simulating adaptive TOC teamwork.

  8. Task Representation Language (TRL) • A hierarchical task-decomposition language based on AI planning systems • Separates tasks (what to do) from methods (how to do it) • Captures staff procedures • Decision points based on queries to a knowledge base (JESS)

  9. The Software Architecture Bn TOC Behavioral Knowledge (TRL) TRL Parser Generic Tasks, Methods, and Procedures Reactive Planning & Adaptive Execution Instantiated Tasks, Methods, and Procedures Load Knowledge Base Puckster Interface Bn TOC World Model (JESS) Initial Battlefield Situation (JESS) puckster OTB OTB-Agent Interface Brigade Interface Brigade Staff

  10. Adaptive Plan Execution • Detects changes in the environment using JESS. • Reacts to the change by invoking the reactive planner. • Actions include sending reports to Brigade and puckster Reactive Planner Adaptive Plan Execution Instantiated Tasks, Methods, and Procedures Puckster Interface Bn TOC World Model (JESS) Brigade Interface

  11. Prototype Demo Architecture

  12. Other Year 1 Accomplishments • Encoded several Battalion tasks for a “Movement to Combat” scenario • Developed an TRL parser to automate the translation from TRL knowledge to Java. • Developed an agent interface to OTB for automating updates to the agent’s ``world model’’. • Successfully implemented a distributed prototype system using Java and RMI.

  13. Additional Funding Obtained • Budget for Year 2 is increased by 25% to $ 2.5 million. • Succeeded in obtaining a DARPA MURI grant on theories and technologies for agent-based team/group training for the Air Force ($4 million, 3 yr + 2 optional yr)

  14. Lessons Learned • Justify the use of new technology • Agent-based digital force trainer can reduce training cost and improve the ``rigor’’ of training. • Educate the sponsor and the customer about the technology used. • Part of the first IPR is a brief tutorial on intelligent agents. • Balance innovation and practicality • Keep asking us “Why this can not be done by a government contractor?” and “Will it be ready for the demo?”

  15. Lessons Learned • Manage their expectations, yet keep them excited. • Prepare to answer “Why can’t you do X?” • Identify champions and recruit supporters • especially from Aggies, with persistence • Understand each stake holder’s self interests • communicate and collaborate with UT, yet protect our interests. • Teamwork is critical, but difficult

  16. The End

More Related