To address the Navys need for next generation heads-up displays (HUDs) to provide training aids, operational tools, and situational awareness (SA) visualizations, Intellisense Systems, Inc. proposes to develop a new Wide-angle Augmented-Reality Infantry Operational Robust Heads-Up-Display (WARIOR-HUD) based on an innovative integration of a wide field-of-view (FOV) conformal layered optical spheroid lens optics with curved holographic waveguide, a high resolution tiled liquid-crystal-on-silicon (LCOS) laser-illuminated light engine with a foveating combiner layout, and a multiplexed video parsing electronic processor. Specifically, the innovation in the proposed system design will enable WARIOR-HUD to be low cost, provide better FOV and resolution than current high-resolution training and tactical HUD/HMD systems, and meet the Navys cost and performance requirements. As a result, the WARIOR-HUD offers panoramic high-resolution, high frame-rate imagery with full motion tracking and allows the users/soldiers to see all the surrounding area and interact with each other safely. In Phase I, Intellisense will design a WARIOR-HSD that meets or exceeds the Navys requirements, determine its feasibility through experiments, develop an initial prototype and testing its performance addressing human factor issues, and develop a prototype plan for Phase II, addressing refined hardware and software requirements for Marine Corps use in close-air support (CAS) and call-for-fire (CFF) missions. In Phase II, Intellisense will develop and demonstrate two functional WARIOR-HUD prototypes, evaluate their performance, compare their performance with current training simulators and tactical HUD systems for potential Marine Corps use in CAS and CFF missions, and identify areas for improvement.
Benefit: WARIOR-HUD represents a next-generation AR headset with a near-natural wide see-through FOV and high foveated resolution and refresh rate. Not only will it replace current simulation and tactical HUDs/HMDs, which are expensive, heavy, and large and have a small FOV, but it also addresses the deficiencies of current consumer VR/AR headset technologies. With its improved human factor performance, the WARIOR-HUD can enter the advanced display market as a proven affordable head-mounted display system to be used in training systems as well as for tactical use by all branches of the U.S. military. Commercial training simulations and operational HUD systems for law enforcement, vehicle operators, first responders, firefighters, Border Patrol agents, and security personnel, as well as the gaming and entertainment industry can all benefit from the WARIOR-HUD technology.
Keywords: Training, Training, infantry, Situational Awareness, Head-Mounted Display, Virtual Reality, Wide FOV
