Cognitive Load Autonomous Advisory System ( CLAAS )
FUTURE DEFENCE AND SECURITY
CLAAS enhances UAS operator performance and wellbeing by providing real-time feedback on cognitive load to improve efficiency
Research & Development Project
In collaboration with 20th Regiment , Royal Australian Artillery , a team of researchers from the UNSW Creative Robotics Lab successfully have developed an autonomous advisory system comprised of hardware and custom AI-driven software that can estimate and present an individual ’ s real-time cognitive load using data from nonintrusive sensors ( HPRnet Project 11907 ).
The Cognitive Load Autonomous Advisory System ( CLAAS ) provides critical information to improve individual and team performance and contribute to maintaining the wellbeing of Unmanned Aerial System ( UAS ) operator crews , through feedback on their estimated cognitive load in real time .
During 2020 – 2024 , in a series of experiments with civilians at the National Facility for Human-Robot Interaction Research ( NFHRI ), CLAAS achieved a prediction accuracy of 87 % in determining whether a person is under high or low cognitive load . CLAAS combined real time video , eye tracking , and voice data to generate these predictions . Novel interfaces for graphical representation of cognitive load information were also developed through two design iterations in close collaboration with 20th Regiment personnel .
CLAAS is currently at TRL 6 , and ready to move from research to commercial development .
CLAAS was developed at the Creative Robotics Lab , a transdisciplinary lab that advances human-machine interaction by designing and evaluating novel humancentred technologies and tested at the National Facility for Human-Robot Interaction Research .
Key capabilities
> Unintrusive measurement of cognitive load via an autonomous AI system > State-of-the-art testing with the NFHRI > Novel interface design and implementation
Differentiators
> Novel unintrusive AI approach to cognitive load measurement
> High accuracy ( 87 %) cognitive load prediction
> CLAAS deployed on UAS training simulator
Key customers
> Defence - training , endurance , and team performance
> Driving - focus detection for improved driver decision making
> Industry - e . g ., assist human performance in air traffic control environments
Key partnerships
> Australian Army > Defence Science and Technology Group
Quality accreditations and awards
> Initial research funding under competitive grant ( HPRnet 11907 )
unsw . to / creative-robotics-lab
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