The Cognitive Technology Threat Warning System, otherwise known as (CT2WS), is a

brain–computer interface A brain–computer interface (BCI), sometimes called a brain–machine interface (BMI), is a direct communication link between the brain's electrical activity and an external device, most commonly a computer or robotic limb. BCIs are often dire ...

designed to analyze sensory data and then alert foot-soldiers to any possible threats, passive or direct. CT2WS is part of U.S. Department of Defense's effort to produce an efficient and working Network-centric

infantryman Infantry, or infantryman are a type of soldier who specialize in ground combat, typically fighting dismounted. Historically the term was used to describe foot soldiers, i.e. those who march and fight on foot. In modern usage, the term broadl ...

Project

Proposal

Proposed in early 2007,

DARPA The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is a research and development agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the development of emerging technologies for use by the military. Originally known as the Adva ...

came to believe that a visual warning system could be produced and developed via an integration of technology and

artificial intelligence Artificial intelligence (AI) is the capability of computer, computational systems to perform tasks typically associated with human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and decision-making. It is a field of re ...

. By combining discoveries in flat-field, wide-angle optics, large pixel-count digital imagers, ultra-low power analog-digital hybrid

signal processing Signal processing is an electrical engineering subfield that focuses on analyzing, modifying and synthesizing ''signals'', such as audio signal processing, sound, image processing, images, Scalar potential, potential fields, Seismic tomograph ...

electronics with cognitive

visual processing Visual processing is the brain's ability to use and interpret visual information from the world. The process of converting light into a meaningful image is a complex process that is facilitated by numerous brain structures and higher level cogni ...

algorithms, and

neural network A neural network is a group of interconnected units called neurons that send signals to one another. Neurons can be either biological cells or signal pathways. While individual neurons are simple, many of them together in a network can perfor ...

-based target detection signatures,

felt a breakthrough was possible, but not likely to be achieved by independent researchers. CT2WS further requires that human brain activity must be integrated with the technology. Selection of research partners is currently open to potential researchers, including: non-traditional

defense contractor A defense contractor is a business organization or individual that provides products or services to a military or intelligence department of a government. Products typically include military or civilian aircraft, ships, vehicles, weaponry, and ...

nonprofit organizations A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...

educational institutions An educational institution is a place where people of different ages gain an education, including preschools, childcare, primary-elementary schools, secondary-high schools, and universities. They provide a large variety of learning environments a ...

, small businesses, etc. It was anticipated that funding for CT2WS will continue until 2011.

Funding

Budget for the project will be determined based upon the scope of the independent proposals. There have been many research and technology contributors to the project includin
HRL
an
Advanced Brain Monitoring
which contributed th
B-Alert wireless-EEG headsets

Technical details

Criteria for project includes: soldier portable, sensory-data collect for a 120 degree field of view (FOV), artificial analysis of data, threat analysis and prioritizing "brain-in-the-loop" integration, and real-time processing of neural and artificial cognitive data.

Related projects

The

DARPA Grand Challenge The DARPA Grand Challenge is a prize competition for American vehicle automation, autonomous vehicles, funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the most prominent research organization of the United States Department of Defense. Uni ...

is another project designed to attract independent researchers to study AI for application to network-centric warfare. The Grand Challenge has tested autonomous driving ability in both urban and rough terrain settings.

References