Human-Machine Teaming

March 12, 2015
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Anderson Hall, Room 112
Speaker: Julie Adams, Vanderbilt University
Host: Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science

Abstract

Ever improving technology provides a basis for developing a seamless synergy between humans and machines that can result in such teams completing complex tasks efficiently and effectively. Achieving the envisioned advanced human-machine teaming requires a highly interdisciplinary research approach integrating aspects of human factors, engineering, computer science and psychology. This perspective is a central tenant of my research program that tightly integrates human-systems interaction and artificially intelligent capabilities to develop complex systems.

Specifically, my research develops effective, reliable, and robust human-machine teaming capabilities, with a focus on robotics for real-time, mission deployments in uncertain and dynamic environments. An overview demonstrating the interdisciplinary relationships resident in this research will be provided prior to focusing on two specific research efforts. The first research effort focus will be the development of artificial intelligence capabilities that address computationally complex teaming optimization decisions for human-machine teaming missions. The second research focus will be the modeling and evaluation of human-based factors impacting peer-based human-human and human-robot team performance. Finally, a brief vision for developing an interdisciplinary human factors graduate program will be presented.

Bio

Dr. Julie A. Adams is an Associate Professor of Computer Science and Computer Engineering in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department at Vanderbilt University. She is also the founder of the Human- Machine Teaming Laboratory. Prior to joining Vanderbilt, she was an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Before returning to academia, she worked in Human Factors for Honeywell, Inc. and the Eastman Kodak Company. Dr. Adams received her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Computer and Information Sciences from the University of Pennsylvania and her B.S. in Computer Science and B.B.E. in Accounting from Siena College.