Goal-based communication using BDI agents as virtual humans in training: An ontology driven dialogue system

Simulations for training can greatly benefit from BDI agents as virtual humans playing the role of key players. Learning to communicate effectively is a key aspect of training to command a team that is managing a crisis. In this paper, we present a goal-based dialogue system which has been applied to a navy fire-fighting incident simulation,...

Taking turns in flying with a virtual wingman

In this study we investigate miscommunications in interactions between human pilots and a virtual wingman, represented by our virtual agent Ashley. We made an inventory of the type of problems that occur in such interactions using recordings of Ashley in flight briefings with pilots and designed a perception experiment to find evidence of human...

Using agent technology to build a real-world training application

Using staff personnel for playing roles in simulation-based training (e.g. team mates, adversaries) elevates costs, and imposes organizational constraints on delivery of training. One solution to this problem is to use intelligent software agents that play the required roles autonomously. BDI modeling is considered fruitful for developing such...

Tunnel operator training with a conversational agent-assistant

A tunnel operator monitors and regulates the flow of traffic inside a tunnel. Tunnel operators need to train in a simulator regularly in order to maintain proficiency in handling incident situations. During quiet working hours, the operator has enough time for training. But generally at that time no instructor or colleague operators are present...

Intelligent agents for training on-board fire fighting

Simulation-based training in complex decision making often requires ample personnel for playing various roles (e.g. team mates, adversaries). Using intelligent agents may diminish the need for staff. However, to achieve goal-directed training, events in the simulation as well as the behavior of key players must be carefully controlled. We...

Games and Agents: Designing Intelligent Gameplay

There is an attention shift within the gaming industry toward more natural (long-term) behavior of nonplaying characters (NPCs). Multiagent system research offers a promising technology to implement cognitive intelligent NPCs. However, the technologies used in game engines and multiagent platforms are not readily compatible due to some inherent...

Isolation and characterization of Alicycliphilus denitrificans strain BC, which grows on benzene with chlorate as the electron acceptor

A bacterium, strain BC, was isolated from a benzene-degrading chlorate-reducing enrichment culture. Strain BC degrades benzene in conjunction with chlorate reduction. Cells of strain BC are short rods that are 0.6 μm wide and 1 to 2 μm long, are motile, and stain gram negative. Strain BC grows on benzene and some other aromatic compounds with...

Physiological and phylogenetic characterization of a stable benzene-degrading, chlorate-reducing microbial community

A stable anoxic enrichment culture was obtained that degraded benzene with chlorate as an electron acceptor. The benzene degradation rate was 1.65 mM benzene per day, which is similar to reported aerobic benzene degradation rates but 20-1650 times higher than reported for anaerobic benzene degradation. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of...

Augmented metacognition addressing dynamic allocation of tasks requiring visual attention

This paper discusses the use of cognitive models as augmented metacognition on task allocation for tasks requiring visual attention. In the domain of naval warfare, the complex and dynamic nature of the environment makes that one has to deal with a large number of tasks in parallel. Therefore, humans are often supported by software agents that...