Our lab is developing methods for presenting the right information at the right time: the perennial goal of the decision-maker under pressure. Imagine a large map of a disaster area spread out on a table in front of a group of people coordinating a disaster response, including firefighters, police, local government, and utility company representatives. As information becomes available to individuals, it can be noted on the map. The group can point to areas and ask for specific information to be determined. With currently used pencil and paper methods, information cannot be compiled, patterns cannot be assessed, and information can be lost. Instead, imagine a large interactive touch screen on the command table that can take multiple inputs from multiple people and uniquely identify them. Information noted by the command staff can be stored in the computer. Requests for information from the field can be sent out automatically to remote search teams or robots. Incoming information can be automatically included in the display. Risk models will be used to show areas where there are likely to be trapped people as well as areas that present a great risk to enter. http://robotics.cs.uml.edu Video credits: Mark Micire (less info)