Research Focus Area 4

Research Focus Area:

Advanced Human-Autonomy Integration

Known throughout defense-related communities as Human-Machine Integrated Formation (HMIF), Advanced Human-Autonomy Integration research provides a structured methodology for integrating human subjects with robotic and autonomous systems to form highly adaptive and optimized teams. This is accomplished through a suite of interdependent tools that support the design, modeling, and operation of heterogeneous, multi-agent teams composed of humans, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Research in this area explores the development of integrated systems in which humans and autonomous agents collaborate as coordinated teams. Emphasizing shared situational awareness, adaptive task allocation, and mutual trust. The research focuses on enabling fluid interaction between human operators and intelligent machines across dynamic, multi-agent environments. The goal is to design systems where human judgment and machine precision are leveraged to achieve complex objectives more effectively and safely while enhancing operational synergy, decision-making, and mission effectiveness across complex environments.

Digital engineering in Advanced Human-Autonomy Integration provides a virtual sandbox where researchers and engineers can prototype, test, and refine human-autonomy teaming concepts at scale well before systems are deployed in real-world settings. It accelerates innovation while improving system safety, trust, and effectiveness..