Objective:

Simulation can help designers reason about mission dynamics. This research task will apply the Brahms agent-based modeling system to simulation and real-time coordination and control of humans, software agents, and rovers in planetary exploration scenarios. This will allow early prototype procedures to be checked for problems in individual time budgets or communication, with confidence being built in later high-fidelity simulation. The modeling capability of Brahms will be extended to meet exploration mission requirements, resulting in a validated, highly usable technology for model-based analysis of human-robotic teamwork.

Applications:

MER/MSL studies; ISS crew support; exploration scenarios involving coordination of humans, rovers, and software agents.

NASA Benefit:

Management of NASA projects and missions is complex and time-consuming. Model-based simulation of work systems (environments, teams, tasks, etc.) can help with procedure design and management. Integration with a high-performance visualization system furthers this "model-to-control" architecture for coordination of work group activities and human-robotic exploration teams. Completed scenario simulations include Apollo surface operations, Victoria mission planning, MER field test operations, ISS, and MSL.

Keywords:

Brahms agent team simulation, work modeling, operations simulation, crew task interaction

Prior Technology:

Apollo CapCom interaction with astronauts (limited by communications delay).

FY04 Milestone:

Integration with a visual modeling system.

FY04 Quadchart Slide:

HCC_DIR_Sierhuis_Brahms.ppt.

Accomplishments:

Brahms Composer integrated development environment (IDE) for agent-based models; Brahms Personal Agent 1.2 and Brahms Professional Agent 1.2, in Java; simulations of Apollo surface operations, Victoria lunar mission planning, MER field test operations (using FIDO), ISS intelligent agent, and MSL planning.

Related Web Pages:

Research group page.

Contacts:

Maarten Sierhuis (PI), USRA RIACS.