1. Augmented Cognition TG Davin Pavlas

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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!

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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!

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. Questions?