Artificial intelligence with more smarts
June 01, 2010
Discovery Machine, a Pennsylvania-based software company, has released the latest version of its artificial intelligence development software.
The Knowledge Service Modeler 6.0 uses knowledge gathered from subject-matter experts to define behavioral characteristics for entities in simulations. The Java-based system can run on multiple platforms including PC, Linux and Mac-based computers.
Behavioral information gathered by the modeler is passed to a simulation suite through the company’s Knowledge Service Engine. That information dictates how entities in the simulation will react to the trainee, according to the company.
In developing an anti-submarine simulator for U.S. Naval Air Systems Command, the company developed the artificial intelligence of the submarines based on knowledge of submariners, according to Todd Griffith, president and co-founder of Discovery Machine.
“We captured the knowledge of submariners because they know how an opposing force’s sub would act in certain circumstances,” Griffith said.
Despite the system being designed so that the instructor can “close everything up and say ‘go,’” the behavior of entities can be adjusted, according to Griffith.
“Sometimes you don’t want a submarine to do what it’s supposed to do,” Griffith said. “Otherwise the crew going through the training is never going to see the sub, so you want to make it surface.”
The behavioral attributes have a direct link to training soldiers and Marines as well.
“By inputting the known behaviors, cultural or otherwise, of people, you can train soldiers and Marines to go into a village and interact with the people and know they’re getting a very real experience,” Griffith said.
The system also reduces the number of staff required to run a simulation, or as Griffith calls them, “pucksters.”
The Knowledge Service Modeler is being used by Boeing and Lockheed, as well as the U.S. Navy and Army, but Griffith couldn’t go into further detail about these contracts.
“There’s also a need to capture the knowledge of retiring folks as well,” Griffith said. “There is a lot to be gained in capturing that expertise.”