Massachusetts-based Aptima Inc. has secured a contract to advance its neuro-cognitive monitoring solution designed for US military pilots and aircrews.
The system, known as the fORE (fNIRS Operational Readiness Estimation), provides objective monitoring of aviators’ neural states to ensure mission readiness.
It employs functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), a non-invasive optical imaging technique that uses near-infrared light to analyze tissue properties and evaluate brain activity.
At its core is the MAVERIC fNIRS sensor, engineered to accurately collect neural data while being comfortably worn beneath pilot helmets.
“From the MAVERIC sensor and fORE’s analytics, we can derive a variety of measures, including heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood oxygen levels, which offer insights into both physiological health and cognitive function,” lead scientist Dr. Lisa Lucia stated.
Enhancing Operational Readiness
According to Aptima, military aviators face heightened risks due to cognitive fatigue, stress, and task overload, which can all impair performance.
“Currently, their only recourse is reliance on subjective ratings (from colleagues or supervisors) or self-reporting; these are very subjective and prone to bias,” it noted.
The fORE system reportedly addresses this challenge by delivering quick, accurate assessments of a pilot’s neural readiness, reducing the likelihood of accidents.
“fORE allows us to identify which team is best prepared for a mission at any given time, how tasks should be allocated among crew members, and even recommend interventions when suboptimal states are detected,” project manager Olivia Fox Cotton noted.
Once fully developed, the fORE system could serve as a valuable pre-flight planning tool, enhancing decision-making and mission success rates.