Papers by John G . Blitch
A Naturalistic Neurophysiological Assessment of Photographer Cognitive State in the Vicinity of Mount Everest
Advances in intelligent systems and computing, Jul 10, 2016
A number of cognitive studies support the notion that task focus and mental workload fluctuation ... more A number of cognitive studies support the notion that task focus and mental workload fluctuation in human perceptual activities can be modeled on a dynamic basis in near real time. Few of these studies, however, involve the use of wearable technologies in naturalistic settings. Fewer still do so under conditions of high physiological stress like those encountered on steep slopes at high altitude in foreign environments. This study compares the behavior and cognitive state of photographers climbing to and descending from the vicinity of Everest Base Camp at altitudes approaching 18,000 feet. Ascent and descent activities were compared in terms of overall task engagement, cognitive workload, and behavioral components of the point and shoot decision paradigm involved in adventure photography. Results are discussed in the context of decision-making behavior typically associated with wilderness search and rescue activities carried out at high altitude in environmentally challenging environments.
A Neurophysiological Assessment of Multi-robot Control During NASA’s Pavilion Lake Research Project
Advances in intelligent systems and computing, Jul 2, 2016
A number of previous studies have explored the value of an external or “3rd person” view in the r... more A number of previous studies have explored the value of an external or “3rd person” view in the realm of video gaming and augmented reality. Few studies, however, actually utilize a mobile robot to provide that viewpoint, and fewer still do so in dynamic, unstructured environments. This study examined the cognitive state of robot operators performing complex survey and sample collection tasks in support of a time sensitive, high profile science expedition. A solo robot control paradigm was compared with a dual condition in which an alternate (surrogate) perspective was provided via voice commands to a second robot employed as a highly autonomous teammate. Subjective and neurophysiological measurements indicate an increased level of situational awareness was achieved in the dual condition along with a reduction decision oriented task engagement. These results are discussed in the context of mitigation potential for cognitive overload and automation induced complacency in complex and unstructured task environments.
An empirical method for dynamic camouflage assessment
Proceedings of SPIE, May 13, 2011
An empirical method for dynamic camouflage assessment. [Proceedings of SPIE 8046, 80460K (2011)].... more An empirical method for dynamic camouflage assessment. [Proceedings of SPIE 8046, 80460K (2011)]. John G. Blitch. Abstract. As camouflage systems become increasingly sophisticated in their potential to conceal military personnel ...
<title>Future technology vision for unmanned ground vehicles (UGV)</title>
Proceedings of SPIE, Sep 2, 2004
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has been looking to biology to provide insi... more The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has been looking to biology to provide insights into how organisms efficiently navigate in their environment. Specifically, we have sought to understand how organisms, from mammals to insects, can perform rapid locomotion over rough, uneven terrain. These biomimetic principles have been applied to various robotic platforms and the development continues as engineers and roboticists strive to emulate the behavior of natural systems. The following attempts to briefly capture the technology progression to current funded efforts, with a vision towards future robotic interests.
A Neurophysiological Examination of Multi-robot Control During NASA’s Extreme Environment Mission Operations Project
Advances in intelligent systems and computing, Jul 2, 2016
Previous research has explored the use of an external or “3rd person” view in the context of augm... more Previous research has explored the use of an external or “3rd person” view in the context of augmented reality, video gaming, and robot control. Few studies, however, involve the use of mobile robot to provide that viewpoint, and fewer still do so in dynamic, unstructured, high stress environments. This study examined the cognitive state of robot operators performing complex search and rescue tasks in a simulated crisis scenario. A solo robot control paradigm was compared with a dual condition in which an alternate (surrogate) perspective was provided via voice commands to a second robot employed as a highly autonomous teammate. Subjective and neurophysiological measurements indicate an increased level of situational awareness was achieved in the dual condition along with a reduction in workload and decision oriented task engagement. These results are discussed in the context of mitigation potential for cognitive overload in complex and unstructured task environments.
<title>Tactical mobile robots for complex urban environments</title>
Proceedings of SPIE, Nov 15, 1999
A common aspect of any security projection for the 21st Century is the need to function effective... more A common aspect of any security projection for the 21st Century is the need to function effectively in complex environments. Cluttered terrain, dense urban areas, and sub-terranean structures all present a daunting set of operational challenges for tactical units within both DoD and a host of other government agencies. The dynamic nature of urban activity and the prominence of human discord in such areas also creates a very complex and often frustrating mix of physical, emotional and psychological constraints that can prevent accomplishment of even the most simple tasks and mission sets. This paper provides an overview of DARPA’s Tactical Mobile Robotics program, and its effort to develop new technologies that will address some of the most difficult and technically challenging aspects of tactical operations in complex terrain. It stops short of an exclusive focus on urban operations in order to fully exploit the potential for semi-autonomous robotic platforms to revolutionize operations across the entire spectrum of tactical activity. This paper outlines the advantages enjoyed through the employment of Man Portable Robotic Systems (MPRS) in denied areas, and calls for a redirection of unmanned systems development toward them. A review of ground robotic platforms is provided first, followed by a discussion of operational voids and corresponding technical challenges. A very brief outline of TMR program structure is presented next in an effort to provide incremental updates on progress sought and made. The paper concludes with a call for continued support of the MRPS concept and innovative research to assist the TMR program in addressing its many technical challenges.
<title>Tactical mobile robots for urban search and rescue</title>
Proceedings of SPIE, Jul 10, 2000
Few disasters can inspire more compassion for victims and families than those involving structura... more Few disasters can inspire more compassion for victims and families than those involving structural collapse. Video clips of children's bodies pulled from earthquake stricken cities and bombing sties tend to invoke tremendous grief and sorrow because of the totally unpredictable nature of the crisis and lack of even the slightest degree of negligence (such as with those who choose to ignore storm warnings). Heartbreaking stories of people buried alive for days provide a visceral and horrific perspective of some of greatest fears ever to be imagined by human beings. Current trends toward urban sprawl and increasing human discord dictates that structural collapse disasters will continue to present themselves at an alarming rate. The proliferation of domestic terrorism, HAZMAT and biological contaminants further complicates the matter further and presents a daunting problem set for Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) organizations around the world. This paper amplifies the case for robot assisted search and rescue that was first presented during the KNOBSAR project initiated at the Colorado School of Mines in 1995. It anticipates increasing technical development in mobile robot technologies and promotes their use for a wide variety of humanitarian assistance missions. Focus is placed on development of advanced robotic systems that are employed in a complementary tool-like fashion as opposed to traditional robotic approaches that portend to replace humans in hazardous tasks. Operational challenges for USAR are presented first, followed by a brief history of mobiles robot development. The paper then presents conformal robotics as a new design paradigm with emphasis on variable geometry and volumes. A section on robot perception follows with an initial attempt to characterize sensing in a volumetric manner. Collaborative rescue is then briefly discussed with an emphasis on marsupial operations and linked mobility. The paper concludes with an emphasis on Human Robot Interface (HRI) and a call for additional research in this exciting and all too important field.
An exploration of effectiveness tradeoffs in automation assisted unmanned aerial system training
PsycEXTRA Dataset, 2011
An Expert System Application for Robot Assisted Urban Search and Rescue
Are Teammate Trust and Confidence Dissociable in Risk Intensive Human Machine Teaming?
Advances in intelligent systems and computing, Oct 17, 2018
Although automation has become the focus of an increasingly expansive body of research literature... more Although automation has become the focus of an increasingly expansive body of research literature in human machine team development, few studies have examined the distinction between confidence in a teammate’s capabilities and trust in their intentions. Fewer still have examined the relationship between these two important components of reliance under naturalistic conditions of high risk. We launch into this void with an initial examination of historical case studies which suggest that risk can act as a catalyst that surprisingly and profoundly transforms the relationship between confidence and trust from a typically convergent and positive influence on teammate reliance to a divergent one that can substantially diminish it. We further examine these historical events as rare yet profound occurrences which take place outside the university/hospital laboratory environment in which the vast majority of scientific conclusions are drawn from the behavior of young college students with immature frontal lobes performing artificial tasks under emotionally sterile, risk-averse conditions. We close with the ambitious goal of inspiring a shift within the Human Machine Interaction and Cognitive Engineering fields toward naturalistic, risk intensive research with increased ecological validity for the military and first responder communities.
Automation Influence on Unmanned Aerial System Operator Training
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society ... Annual Meeting, Sep 1, 2011
Page 1. AUTOMATION INFLUENCE ON UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEM OPERATOR TRAINING John G. Blitch, Colorado... more Page 1. AUTOMATION INFLUENCE ON UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEM OPERATOR TRAINING John G. Blitch, Colorado State University Benjamin A. Clegg, Colorado State University The impact of the use of automation during ...
Marine Technology Society Journal, 2020
The vast majority of entities living and working in space do so inside pressurized cylinders — in... more The vast majority of entities living and working in space do so inside pressurized cylinders — including, for all intents and purposes, individual astronauts themselves. The reason for this is simple, and it is as obvious as the submarines patrolling our oceans and the airplanes flying over our heads every single day — pressurized tubes are efficient. As more and more of these cylinders find their way into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and beyond, however, the likelihood of puncture by fast-moving debris of natural or man made origin is increasing — rapidly. Anybody who has ever watched a can of beer or soda drop and spray its frantic would-be consumer with the contents can tell you that rapid response to such calamity is imperative if even a modicum of the precious liquid is to be conserved for later use.The seriousness of this calamity ramps up exponentially of course, when those contents comprise the air one needs to breathe. Imagine for a moment that instead of dropping the can in question on the pavement during a tailgate party, it had been hit with shrapnel from another can in close proximity that had just exploded into a rapidly expanding cloud of shrapnel - like buck shot headed for a clay pigeon. Imagine further that the only thing you had available to handle this ruptured cylinder of air was a pair of pliers in one hand and a monkey wrench in the other. What do you think your chances would be of sealing off that bottle before the air ran out? When one considers this scenario amidst the collection of rigid robot arms and grippers protruding from the orthogonally arranged cylinders on the International Space Station (ISS) in Figure1, it is clear that, when it comes to emergency response in space, Houston may have a round peg / square hole problem. As any plumber or submarine damage control party will tell you, the sailor’s best friend at sea is often a roll of duct tape or bucket of hose clamps. Shouldn’t a similar repair paradigm follow every manned mission launched into space — especially when they involve precious military assets that now require protection by the newly minted Space Force? We ask you now in the context of this document’s title — wouldn’t it be great if that duct tape could wrap itself around all those leaking pipes? With that in mind, we propose to revive previous research into the use of soft robotic wrapping manipulators to help others save themselves rather than depending on higher headquarters to come to the rescue.
Marine Technology Society Officers Cover image: The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (... more Marine Technology Society Officers Cover image: The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Angler program aims to pioneer the next generation of autonomous underwater robotic systems (artwork courtesy of DARPA).
Tactical mobile robots for urban search and rescue
SPIE Proceedings, 2000
Few disasters can inspire more compassion for victims and families than those involving structura... more Few disasters can inspire more compassion for victims and families than those involving structural collapse. Video clips of children&#x27;s bodies pulled from earthquake stricken cities and bombing sties tend to invoke tremendous grief and sorrow because of the totally unpredictable ...
<title>Tactical mobile robots for complex urban environments</title>
Mobile Robots XIV, 1999
A common aspect of any security projection for the 21st Century is the need to function effective... more A common aspect of any security projection for the 21st Century is the need to function effectively in complex environments. Cluttered terrain, dense urban areas, and sub-terranean structures all present a daunting set of operational challenges for tactical units within both DoD and a host of other government agencies. The dynamic nature of urban activity and the prominence of human discord in such areas also creates a very complex and often frustrating mix of physical, emotional and psychological constraints that can prevent accomplishment of even the most simple tasks and mission sets. This paper provides an overview of DARPA’s Tactical Mobile Robotics program, and its effort to develop new technologies that will address some of the most difficult and technically challenging aspects of tactical operations in complex terrain. It stops short of an exclusive focus on urban operations in order to fully exploit the potential for semi-autonomous robotic platforms to revolutionize operations across the entire spectrum of tactical activity. This paper outlines the advantages enjoyed through the employment of Man Portable Robotic Systems (MPRS) in denied areas, and calls for a redirection of unmanned systems development toward them. A review of ground robotic platforms is provided first, followed by a discussion of operational voids and corresponding technical challenges. A very brief outline of TMR program structure is presented next in an effort to provide incremental updates on progress sought and made. The paper concludes with a call for continued support of the MRPS concept and innovative research to assist the TMR program in addressing its many technical challenges.
The International Journal of Robotics Research, 1999
Today’s regional military conflicts are increasingly likely to occur in populated urban areas, in... more Today’s regional military conflicts are increasingly likely to occur in populated urban areas, in, around, over, and under unknown buildings. This places land forces in dangerous and unpredictable situations, and in many instances the conflicts also threaten noncombatants. To address this need, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Tactical Mobile Robotics program is researching and developing the capability to perform urban reconnaissance with teams of small, low-cost, semiautonomous mobile robots. Easily transportable by individuals, these robot teams will be capable of working together to perform a variety of reconnaissance functions. The program develops enabling technologies (machine perception, autonomous operation, and robotic locomotion) and integrates them into tactical systems for urban operations.
Artificial intelligence technologies for robot assisted urban search and rescue
Expert Systems with Applications, 1996
Abstract Structural collapse disasters routinely inspire sympathy not only for victims and their ... more Abstract Structural collapse disasters routinely inspire sympathy not only for victims and their families, but also for heroic rescue personnel who are faced with a tremendously complex, hazardous and often frustrating task environment. Military operations and rescue activities in the aftermath of recent earthquakes and bombings indicate a tremendous need for greater access to denied areas within any crisis site involving collapsed structures. Recent developments in the remote inspection industry show great potential for employment of small robotic micro-rover systems in expanded roles for Urban Search and Rescue. This paper discusses key issues in the application of robotic systems to Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) activities and discusses ongoing development of a knowledge-based system for efficient management of automated search assets. USAR modeling and “micro-bot” employment advantages are addressed first, followed by a discussion of numerical method shortcomings in the context of search asset allocation. KNOBSAR is then proposed as an initial expert system prototype designed to interact with various structural collapse simulation packages and provide advice on search asset allocation to specific entry points within a crisis site. KNOBSAR structure and design is then illustrated in terms of micro-bot allocation scenarios to various collapsed structure entry points. The conclusion drawn from literature review, experimentation and personal experience is that AI technologies in the form of robotic platforms and decision support tools can have a tremendous impact on overall search efficiency for the USAR community, and represent an important field of study for related military applications.
Knobsar: An expert system prototype for robot assisted urban search and rescue
IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine, 1999
ABSTUCT Miniature robots enable low-cost planetary surface exploration missions, and new military... more ABSTUCT Miniature robots enable low-cost planetary surface exploration missions, and new military missions in urban terrain where small robots provide critical assistance to human operations. These space and military missions have many similar technological challenges. Robots can be deployed in environments where it may not be safe or affordable to send humans, or where robots can reduce the risk to humans. Small size is needed in urban terrain to make the robot easy to carry and deploy by military personnel. Technology to sense and perceive the environment, and to autonomously plan and execute navigation maneuvers and other remote tasks, is an important requirement for both planetary and surface robots and for urban terrain robotic assistants. Motivated by common technological needs and by a shared vision about the great technological potential, a strong, collaborative relationship exists between the NASNJPL and DARPA technology development in miniaturized robotics. This paper describes the technologies under development, the applications where these technologies are relevant to both space and military missions, and the status of the most recent technology demonstrations in terrestrial scenarios.
Are Teammate Trust and Confidence Dissociable in Risk Intensive Human Machine Teaming?
Although automation has become the focus of an increasingly expansive body of research literature... more Although automation has become the focus of an increasingly expansive body of research literature in human machine team development, few studies have examined the distinction between confidence in a teammate’s capabilities and trust in their intentions. Fewer still have examined the relationship between these two important components of reliance under naturalistic conditions of high risk. We launch into this void with an initial examination of historical case studies which suggest that risk can act as a catalyst that surprisingly and profoundly transforms the relationship between confidence and trust from a typically convergent and positive influence on teammate reliance to a divergent one that can substantially diminish it. We further examine these historical events as rare yet profound occurrences which take place outside the university/hospital laboratory environment in which the vast majority of scientific conclusions are drawn from the behavior of young college students with im...
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Papers by John G . Blitch