Defining Soldier Intent in a Human-Robot Natural Language Interaction Context

Abstract

Abstract : The work described was conducted to support a US Army Research Laboratory Directors Strategic Initiative research program to examine intent as conveyed and understood between humans and machines and used to achieve cooperative goals (i.e., teaming). The goal of this report is to analyze the question of what intent means for this paradigm, considering the Army context(s) of intended use as well as users expectations and a range of potential meanings and applications of intent-based behaviors. The results are a review of the relevant literature combined with input from the field and integrated into a consolidated framework. This framework identifies a range of types of intent behaviors scaled for complexity primarily on the need for increased interpretation and reasoning and the use of implicit/existing knowledge (not directly or immediately provided) to ensure understanding and compliance. This framework will provide a structure, a goal, and benchmarks for existing and future efforts.