Tools for Creating Objects and Behaviors for Distributed Simulations with a Cultural Context

For this Phase II SBIR project, Vcom3D will develop a distributed interactive simulation in which Soldiers can practice interactions with a local populace with different culture and language. This simulation will immerse Soldiers, live role-players, and computer-generated characters into experiential learning situations that enable Soldiers and junior offices to learn key aspects of culturally-influenced behaviors that can impact their ability to successfully communicate and collaborate with local populations and coalition forces. This simulation will integrate Vcom3D’s Virtual Human characters and behaviors, as well as Cultural Cognitive Agents developed by Soar Technologies, into Forterra Systems’ Online Interactive Virtual Environment (OLIVE). In addition to the exemplar simulations, Vcom3D will provide a set of tools for adding and editing characters, behaviors, and culturally significant objects. Key features of the proposed approach include: • Use of open standards, including COLLADA, X3D, and H-Anim. • Highly detailed virtual human models capable of multi-lingual speech with lip-sync, facial expression, gesture, proxemic, and haptic behaviors. • The incorporation of a library of over 600 "context aware", culture-specific behaviors originally developed for DARPA’s DARWARS initiative. By conducting formative and summative evaluations of the prototype simulations and authoring tools, we will iteratively refine the distributed simulation and supporting toolset.