Cognitive Systems. Technology Foresight 2015

Authors:

  • Björn J E Johansson
  • Jan Nilsson
  • Åsa Waern
  • Niclas Wadströmer
  • Erik Axell
  • Börje Asp
  • Björn Johansson
  • Anders Nelander

Publish date: 2015-12-08

Report number: FOI-R--4107--SE

Pages: 41

Written in: Swedish

Keywords:

  • Cognitive systems
  • Cognitive radio
  • Cognitive sensor systems
  • Function
  • allocation
  • Automation
  • Joint Cognitive Systems
  • Human-machine interaction

Abstract

Cognitive systems is a term used to describe fields varying from purely technical solutions to larger constellations of humans and technology (joint cognitive systems). A common treat of all these are that they, on a system level, present goal directed behavior and have the ability to adapt their behavior to changes in circumstances while pursuing their goal(s). The military domain is in ever higher degree depending on abilities that can only be realized through technical systems, since the human ability is a limiting factor in the very quick processes that signify warfighting with qualified weapons systems. Examples of such systems are vehicles with a high degree of automated functionality, fully automated anti-aircraft systems, or highly automated surveillance systems. Technical progress has illuminated the need to better understand the interplay between humans and technology. This has become evident as humans need to interact with machines/systems that more and more perform tasks that were previously performed by humans. Responsibility, function allocation, and ethical aspects are only a few of the considerations that must be dealt with. The areas cognitive radio and cognitive sensor systems are described in detail in this report. The two areas show how "traditional" technologies can be given a completely new meaning by adding cognitive functionality. Cognitive radio has the potential to reduce the workload on technical C2 functions and at the same time increase flexibility of the military organization by allowing rapid re-configuration of communication networks. Cognitive sensor systems may in a similar way revolutionize what kind of information that will be available for situational pictures and weapon systems without new sensors or a larger number of new sensors. Several other examples in the report exhibit similar phenomena. The report describes TRL (Technology Readiness Levels) for most of the technical examples as well as recommendations to the Swedish Armed Forces concerning the need of monitoring various areas in the cognitive systems domain. It is pointed out that the problems identified concerning man-machine interaction needs to be monitored closely. The complementary view on function allocation in human-machine systems is especially promising, given that the technical development will allow the realization of such an approach.