Prospective Projects

Project 1: Using wearable sensors and vibrating tactors to enhance spatial orientation

When astronauts try to land upon the Moon or Mars they will be very susceptible to spatial disorientation. oth the Air Force and NASA want to develop countermeasures to spatial disorientation. We will use sensors that detect tilt from gravitational vertical and convey that information through vibrating tactors to enhance spatial orientation. Our lab has a history of studying spatial orientation.

Research questions to explore:

What is the limit of how many devices can be used? Can we make a cyborg with multiple sensors and actuators? What the brain handle? How much learning does it take?
Is there really parallel processing through different sensory systems? That is, is communicating tilt through the skin better than just visually showing that on a meter?
How complex can the information be that is communicated through these devices?
Is there a language, for example, that the skin understands better?
What if you are trained in one environment (eg Earth) and then go to a different environment (eg Mars), can you transfer this learning and use of devices?
What does stress do? Does trust with these augmented devices break down?

Project 2: Using moving prosthetics that respond to body sway to enhance postural stability

When astronauts will initially try to walk on the Moon or Mars (or on Earth after returning from space) they will experience significant postural instability. We will use sensors that detect body sway to move prosthesis attached to the human to enhance their postural stability. Our lab has a history of studying human postural balancing.

Project 3: Using embedded sensors to enhance habitat efficiency and communication with humans

Once astronauts are on the Moon or Mars they will have to set up habitats and these habitats will have to be rich with sensors to efficiently monitor a variety of different factors (data collection to life support). We will determine how to best optimize and personalize to each person.

Project 4: Integrated and adaptable communication to enhance drone/UMV control

When astronauts start exploring the Moon and Mars, they will likely send out unmanned vehicles. We will study how to make them semi-autonomous and determine the best ways to control/communicate with them. As a first step, we will attach the tactors from Project 1 to Ian and Tim as they fly drones to see if information from the tactors (which gives a sense of deviation from the vertical) enhances drone flight performance.

Project 5: Machine Learning/Deep Learning

All of the projects above can a machine learning/deep learning approach to them and we have two Brandeis computer science professors who are happy to give support on developing these ideas.

Project 6: Art and mythological universe

Dr. Vivek believes that science has become too siloed and separated from the Human journey, the Human Identity, and Human Destiny, and feels that art, philosophy and ceremonies can bring science back into the collective consciousness of humanity. He believes that it is imperative that we all discuss how to balance our animality, humanity, and technology.

One example of how Dr. Vivek tried to bring all of these things together is here (rough draft).