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The system seamlessly integrates into real-life environments, including homes, cars, or cockpits for pilots. This enables users to train within their daily routines as they move through various work and leisure settings. The technology provides continuous physiological feedback, motivating users to regulate their cognitive and emotional states, with rewards being reflected in the environment. For instance, a driver or pilot can monitor alertness and see changes in their dashboard once a desired state is reached. The system comprises three key components: Talisman: Biofeedback sensors worn on the user's body. Artifacts: Receivers placed in the environment to receive biofeedback signals from the talisman. Software elements that facilitate changes in the operation and appearance of the environment. A pattern comparator stores physiological pattern templates and calculates the proximity of the user's current physiological activity to desirable or undesirable patterns. The reward calculator uses this data to determine when and what rewards are introduced or removed from the user's experience, both qualitatively and quantitatively. As of now, the system has a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3, indicating it is a concept with proof-of-concept analysis.

NASA’s biocybernetic system is a cutting-edge technology designed to cultivate emotional regulation skills. It leverages the concept of biocybernetic adaptation, where the trainee engages with virtual entities, such as characters in VR/AR/MR environments, whose behavior dynamically responds to the trainee's physiological signals. This responsive system provides real-time feedback, incentivizing the trainee to attain a calmer physiological state. The key components of this VR innovation include: · Head-mounted display hardware · Physiological monitoring hardware, tracking heart rate, breathing, sweat, breath, and brain waves · Software, powered by the Biocybernetic Loop (BL) Engine, integrating physiological data into the VR simulation · Character response avatars · Integration of the trainee's biofeedback data with the VR environment This technology relies on two functional elements working in unison to adapt the behavior and appearance of VR/AR/MR characters. Inference of the trainee's emotional state from physiological signals requires the implementation of advanced machine learning and modeling techniques. A pattern comparator stores templates of physiological patterns and continually assesses the proximity of the trainee's real-time physiological activity to the desired patterns. The pattern comparator calculates a closeness score in relation to one or more reference patterns, transmitting this data to the VR/AR/MR environment components. Consequently, the level of threat or cooperation presented by virtual characters is dynamically adjusted in response to the closeness score, creating an immersive and adaptive training experience.

ARC ANGEL is an active robotic system like ARGOS; however, its electric motor is not mounted overhead to a runway and bridge system, but instead is mounted to the test subject’s backpack-like PLSS where the motor(s) supplies real-time actuation torque off-loading to the upper arms via cabling. If a test subject picks-up a hammer, the system will react immediately to offload the weight of the hammer relative to the programmed environment. The ARC ANGEL system is comprised of an electric motor(s), soft goods, electronics hardware, firmware, and software. To provide a smoothly operating arm offloading analog and optimize system performance, engineers at JSC coded software that leverages kinematic algorithms and closed-loop architecture for motor control, along with custom computer language scripts to ingest sensor data. This allows ARC ANGEL’s subsystems to be seamlessly integrated and accurately simulate one to zero G environments. During operation, compact tension sensors and inertial measurement units detect arm weight and motion and provide a closed-loop control system that feeds data to a single-board computer and requisite firmware for processing. A custom graphical user interface was also developed in-house to provide controls for inputting desired arm offload values. Additionally, ARC ANGEL features its own power supply that provides power to its subcomponents without external cables. This allows the ability to function independently from ARGOS and further lends itself to potential terrestrial applications. This work directly correlates to active exosuit development that is being implemented for rehabilitation and/or assistive medical devices. ARC ANGEL is essentially providing a desired assistance (offload) while maintaining a subject’s full range of motion. The system hardware and software can be modified to custom-fit an individual without a spacesuit and toward limb-assisted movement – not just arm offloading. ARC ANGEL may already meet a higher physical demand and robustness given that it is engineered to perform in challenging environments with greater loads. ARC ANGEL is at a technology readiness level (TRL) 5 (component and/or breadboard validation in laboratory environment) and is now available for patent licensing. Please note that NASA does not manufacture products itself for commercial sale.