Charles River Analytics Develops Human-Computer Interfaces

Charles River Analytics Inc. has received funding from the U.S. Army to develop the Operational Representations and Interactive Overlay Environment (ORION). ORION combines data visualizations with collaboration tools to help Tactical Commanders explore battlespace information in a flexible and real-time system.

Tactical Commanders must successfully manage dynamic,time-sensitive battlefield information from numerous sources. However, existingsystems often result in a cognitive burden; Tactical Commanders must manuallyprocess data from competing sources into meaningful representations, and thenact on that information.

“Currently, systems for tactical decision makers take aone-size-fits-all approach, which complicates workflows and increases burden onTactical Commanders,” said Stephanie Kane, Senior Scientist at Charles RiverAnalytics and Principal Investigator on the ORION effort. “ORION includeshuman-centered user interfaces that let Tactical Commanders easily direct theirattention to the information that matters most to a specific mission.”

ORION’s tailored user interfaces help Tactical Commandersmake complex decisions. The human-computer interface expertise allows CharlesRiver Analytics to create innovative tools for analysts and decision makersacross military echelons.