Situational Awareness and Navigation Data With Haptic Interface in Cognitive Harmony (SANDWHICH)

Radios and tablets offer unprecedented amounts of data to warfighters. However, processing this data can be difficult on the battlefield. The cognitive requirements on soldiers can become a detriment in dynamic and fast-moving environments. As a result, DARPA has identified a need to provide warfighters with a new tactical edge via clear, robust, immediately actionable information (such as situational awareness and navigation data) consumable with low cognitive burden. In particular, DARPA is seeking unobtrusive solutions meeting low SWaP requirements to convey low data-rate information thereby increasing survivability of the soldier. Through a Phase I effort, ADA Technologies developed a new platform device called “Situational Awareness and Navigation Data With Haptic Interface in Cognitive Harmony” (SANDWHICH). During Phase I human subject research testing, the device demonstrated 92% to 97% correct tactile signal identification (salience). In Phase II, ADA will advance the SANDWHICH TRL for implementation on a warfighter’s leg by finalizing the mechanical and electronic design of the device. Multiple prototypes will be built and tested to demonstrate TRL 7. Zach Harvey (Rise Prosthetics) and Cameron Rink (Mount Carmel Health System) will lend their physiological expertise to the project. WillowWood and Lockheed Martin will be our manufacturing and commercialization partners.