Cognitive State Estimation in Mobile Environments

ork in the field of augmented cognition began by classifying aspects of cognitive processing (attention, working memory, executive function, and sensory processing) with well-defined, well-understood laboratory tasks (often referred to informally as “Psych 101” tasks). As researchers have moved from the laboratory environment to the field environment, they have introduced the artifacts (motion, electrical, networking traffic, and disconnect) and stressors (information overload, physical load, competition, and threat of pain) inherent in some operational environments to which augmented cognition systems would be transitioned. The move from the laboratory to mobile field environments brings a number of unique challenges that must be addressed if cognitive state assessment is to be used successfully in task domains that require the operator to be mobile. Tough sacrifices need to be made, with limitations on the sensors to be used, processing power, and knowledge of the task environment. Therefore, unique techniques must be developed to enable this technology to move beyond sedentary operator domains. W