A multi-tasking environment for manipulating and measuring neural correlates of cognitive workload

摘要

As part of the DARPA Augmented Cognition program, our goal has been to develop a complex cognitive multi-tasking environment in which to study user workload, its neural correlates, and task/interface augmentations to modulate workload. Additionally, our goal has been to develop a task environment that has a quasi-operational and interactive feel appropriate for developing military command and control technologies while at the same time suitable for experimental development using undergraduates as research participants. Our solution is a ship-based navy command and control environment that contains multiple tasks and enlists spatial, verbal, and decision-making processes. The workload of the component tasks may be manipulated independently to facilitate development of process-specific neuro-metric measures of workload.