The Digital Manufacturing Research Team within the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) conducts research at the interfaces of advanced manufacturing processes (e.g., additive manufacturing), advanced analytics (e.g., deep learning), and human-centered interfaces (e.g., augmented reality).  As these research thrusts continue to converge, the ways in which humans interact and communicate with machinery continue to evolve.  This evolution is especially prevalent in austere scenarios, such as On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (OSAM) and maintenance activities in DoD depots.  Challenges of such complex environments burden the multi-capable Airman, expected to essentially be a “Jack of all trades.”  In response, we are exploring capabilities of emerging technology to augment sense-making of Airmen across a variety of in-service use cases.  Central to this perspective is the incorporation of extended reality (XR) technologies to enhance decision-making and facilitate intervention through distributed control.   

Research topics of interest within this space include: (1) human-robot interaction methods for manufacturing, (2) knowledge representation methods for industrial XR, (3) digital twin frameworks for austere environments, and (4) computer-supported collaboration for distributed decision making.

key words

Mixed Reality; Visual Analytics; Human-Machine Interaction; Human-Robot Interaction; Distributed Control; Automation; Interoperability; Digital Twin

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral and Senior applicants