FW-HTF-RM: Augmenting Spatial Cognition Capabilities of Future Workforce to Enhance Work Performance in Altered Environments Using Virtual Reality

这项研究的目标是使未来的劳动力能够在不熟悉的环境中工作，包括荒凉的难以到达的地方，如：深空、近地轨道、深海和极地地区。研究小组将推出一种结合虚拟现实（VR）、眼动追踪和脑电图（EEG）的新型经济高效的教育平台。该平台将为基于场景的模拟和游戏的设计原则提供信息，以培训未来的劳动力，使其适应并在变化的环境中工作。主要目标是了解空间认知处理在改变的重力和视觉环境中的差异，以及基于vr的模拟如何加速培训国家未来的劳动力以适应这种环境。研究团队整合了信息建模、虚拟现实、注视分析、脑电图和航空航天工程的原理，对改变条件下的空间认知加工进行了研究。具体来说，研究小组将研究视觉和独特性参照系（FOR）的不对齐以及熟悉地标提供的视觉空间线索的缺乏如何以及在多大程度上影响空间能力、固定模式和大脑功能。本研究将：(1)通过行为测试测量空间能力，对比模拟正常和改变环境下的得分和反应时间；(2)利用眼动追踪和脑电图（EEG）测量和分析模拟正常和改变环境下的认知策略和精神负荷；(3)应用空间能力、注意力分配和心理工作量的结果来创建模拟或游戏的框架，以培训未来的劳动力在改变的条件下工作。拟议的研究将导致发明、评估和应用创新的方法和工具，使用VR、眼动追踪和脑电图来设计基于场景的模拟和游戏，用于劳动力培训。这项研究将在认知科学的行为和生理领域创造新的知识，从而更好地理解改变环境下的空间认知加工。这项工作的更广泛影响包括开发一种独特、更安全、更具成本效益的方法来培训使用虚拟模拟的工人，并增强他们的空间能力，以提高他们的安全性、工作生活质量、生产力，并为更多人参与未来的劳动力提供潜力。更广泛的影响还包括开发教育课程内容和增加对代表性不足的学生群体的指导。教育活动包括为K-12和大学生提供强有力的外展计划，以增加他们在科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）领域的职业参与，告知他们在变化条件下工作的未来，并解释人类技术前沿如何增强空间认知表现。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The goal of this research is to enable the future workforce to work in unfamiliar environments, including desolate hard to reach places such as: deep space, low Earth orbit, deep ocean, and polar regions. The research team will introduce a new cost-effective educational platform combining Virtual Reality (VR), Eye Tracking and electroencephalography (EEG). This platform will inform design principles for scenario-based simulations and games to train the future workforce to adapt to and work in altered environments. The main goal is to understand how spatial cognitive processing differs in altered gravitational and visual environments, and how VR-based simulation can accelerate training the nation's future workforce to adapt to such environments. The research team integrates the principles of information modeling, VR, fixation analysis, EEG, and aerospace engineering to conduct the proposed research on spatial cognitive processing in altered conditions.Specifically, the research team will address how, and to what extent, the non-alignment of visual and idiotropic frames of reference (FOR) and a lack of visuospatial cues offered by familiar landmarks influence spatial abilities, fixation patterns, and brain functions. This study will: (1) measure spatial abilities through behavioral tests, and contrast scores and reaction time in simulated normal and altered environments; (2) measure and analyze cognitive strategies and mental workload using eye tracking and electroencephalography (EEG) and contrast results in simulated normal and altered environments; and (3) apply the results of spatial abilities, attentional allocation, and mental workload to create the framework of a simulation or game to train the future workforce to work in altered conditions.The proposed research will lead to inventing, evaluating, and applying innovative methods and tools that use VR, eye tracking and EEG to design scenario-based simulations and games for workforce training. This study will create new knowledge in the behavioral and physiological domains of cognitive science leading to a better understanding of spatial cognitive processing in altered environments. The broader impacts of this work include developing a unique, safer, and cost-effective approach to train workers using virtual analogs and augment their spatial abilities to enhance their safety, quality of work life, productivity, and potential for more people to participate in the future workforce. Broader impacts also include developing educational course content and increased mentoring of underrepresented student groups. Educational activities include a strong outreach program for K-12 and college students to increase their participation in careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), inform them about the future of work in altered conditions, and explain how a human-technology frontier can bolster spatial cognitive performance.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.