BIONAV (Biologically-Driven Navigation) - Science and Technology for General Studies

BIONAV

Biologically-driven Navigation Technology is to develop immersive 3D war training or to operate robots more accurately. Elaborately, it is being designed to provide novel approaches to sense and interpret biological signals correlated with human user intent, and to translate these signals into actual waypoints or movement commands in a virtual or physical environment. Also to find innovative ways to translate biological signals, such as galvanic and behavioral responses, into movement commands in a virtual or real environment.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is looking to develop this BIONAV technology.

Applications of BIONAV:

• To create more intensive training simulation, where soldiers can control an avatar and perform tasks manually, such as handling weapons, as opposed to using an interface that is in-congruent to the real experience.

• DARPA also believes methods of navigating a robot using biological signals should allow the operator to manually control complex tasks.

• The agency noted that the ultimate goal is the creation of a system of commercial and military use.

• Possibilities of using the technology for real-world application are limitless, such as intensely more immersive gaming experiences, computer interfaces used through the mind and improved robotics technology.