SBIR-STTR Award

Weaver: A Tablet-based, Intelligent Virtual Trainer
Award last edited on: 7/12/2023

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : AF
Total Award Amount
$749,993
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
AF192-D001
Principal Investigator
Sean Guarino

Company Information

Charles River Analytics Inc

625 Mount Auburn Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
   (617) 491-3474
   info@cra.com
   www.cra.com
Location: Multiple
Congr. District: 05
County: Middlesex

Phase I

Contract Number: 2019
Start Date: ----    Completed: 8/7/2019
Phase I year
2019
Phase I Amount
$1
Direct to Phase II

Phase II

Contract Number: N/A
Start Date: 8/7/2021    Completed: 8/7/2019
Phase II year
2019
(last award dollars: 1689186453)
Phase II Amount
$749,992

The demand for highly-skilled technicians to build and maintain next-generation communications equipment is out pacing the Air Force capacity to train its workforce due to limited training equipment and resources. Instructors need intelligent, virtual, and portable training solutions to augment current training. This capability enables students to learn complex and potentially dangerous procedures without the cost or danger of live equipment. Charles River Analytics, in partnership with DiSTI Corporation, brings a proven commercial solution to this challenge: a framework for developing intelligent virtual training systems for dangerous procedures suitable to address a wide range of learning objectives and challenges. We propose to extend this capability to develop Weaver, a new tablet-based, intelligent virtual trainer (IVT) product that incorporates realistic stressors and related feedback. Weavers adaptively guides students through high-risk scenarios. To prove the effectiveness of Weaver, we will develop a prototype addressing requirements identified by the 364th Training Squadron (TRS) for an IVT that trains installation and maintenance procedures for antenna equipment using vehicular booms-procedures that are currently demonstrated by instructors, rather than performed hands-on by students. Weaver will extend our commercial solution with environmental stressors and feedback for effective training, and it will provide new tablet-based, outside-the-classroom training.