Aptima Releases Version 4.1 of DDD Simulation Software

Collaborative tools and enhanced scenario generator improve simulations for team training and research


Woburn, Mass. - November 16, 2009 --[ASDWire]-- Aptima, Inc., a leader in human–centered engineering, announces the release of version 4.1 of DDD®, the “Dynamic Distributed Decision-making” simulation software used by international military agencies and researchers to improve team training and human performance in complex networked environments.
DDD 4.1’s enhancements include new collaborative communication tools and display features that make it an even more realistic and effective multi-person simulator to prepare and train teams for distributed missions and as a platform for conducting research. With built in tools that track and record interactions, tasks, and communications, DDD can quantify and measure individual and team performance, making it a valuable test bed for universities and agencies such as the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Office of Naval Research, who are using DDD to evaluate new military technologies and to explore alternative training methods.

DDD can be easily configured to simulate a wide range of team-based scenarios and environments, such as AWACS air battle operations, Joint Task Force command, and emergency disaster management. The software, which runs as a networked application and can be operated on laptops, supports Live-Virtual-Constructive (LVC) exercises where geographically distributed teams can simultaneously engage and train across locations.

“DDD’s new features are designed to better simulate the communications and collaboration of today’s decision-makers who are operating in a distributed and networked world,” said Mike Paley, Executive Vice President of Aptima. “These enhancements were designed to provide the user community with more flexibility in creating realistic simulations that support their research efforts.”

DDD 4.1’s enhancements include:

- Visual Scenario GeneratorTM
Visual Scenario Generator (VSG) is the software component of DDD that guides both novice and expert scenario developers through the steps to build the simplest to the most complex scenarios. A wide range of simulation scenarios can be created without programming, using drop-down menus to design environments from general terrain to building floor plans; human roles with command chains and resources; events such as earthquakes, attacks, storms, and their impact on players and resources; even AI agents with different attributes and capabilities.

4.1’s enhancements allow each aspect of the DDD Scenario to be visually added, modified or removed with the click of a button, rather than modifying a long and cryptic scenario file. 4.1 also supports seamless integration of Visual Scenario Generator to DDD, with reduced processing time, and allows previously created scenarios in DDD 4.0 to be saved and imported.

- Integrated Voice Over IP (VoIP)
DDD’s support of VoIP and chat allows teams to communicate within DDD using collaborative tools as they would in a networked environment such as a battlefield or air operations center, adding an important layer of realism and real-time communications. Users can set up individual and shared voice channels, with icons clearly identifying speakers, the channels they’re participating on, and duration of messages – all of which can be recorded and replayed, providing researchers insight on the use of individual and group communications during missions. Scenario creators can drop in scripted pre-recorded messages at specified times that can be directed to a specific decision-maker or a VoIP channel.

- Collaborative White Board
DDD supports White Board communications, which allows users to mark up and share pictures in real-time with the other participants, providing a powerful tool for information exchange during scenarios. DDD provides an easy-to-use set of standard drawing controls with multi-level undo and individual object deletion. Users can synchronize their White Board views with others, and an overlay allows users to view multiple White Board rooms simultaneously. All White Board room events can be recorded and re-played, and instructors and trainers can use the tool to inform and instruct participants during the session.

DDD in Use:
DDD is currently being used as a common synthetic task environment by a consortium of six universities conducting coordinated research to examine the effectiveness of different approaches to training. The project is being funded by AFRL Human Performance Wing in Mesa, AZ.

Earlier in 2009, a team from the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology (PGSP), led by Dr. Zeno Franco, used DDD as a simulation platform to evaluate the U.S. Incident Command System, winning Best Paper Award at the International Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management Conference (ISCRAM). The team used DDD and the Visual Scenario Generator to create a series of emergency management scenarios that simulated the activities of several Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) Section Chiefs cooperating as part of a regional mass disaster response. DDD simulated the scenarios, events and the activities required by responders, including transfer of decision authority, dynamic allocation of resources between teams, the use of various communication configurations, and the examination of various planning mechanisms.

About Distributed Dynamic Decision-making’ Simulation Software:
DDD’s development has been funded by several government agencies, including the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the Army Research Institute (ARI), Office of Naval Research (ONR), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). DDD currently is a “commercial off the shelf” (COTS) toolset used in several US and international R&D sites.

A 30–day, fully functional evaluation copy of DDD 4.1 can be obtained through Aptima.

About Aptima:
Aptima, Inc. is a leading human-centered research, development, and engineering company that works primarily for the military research labs, DARPA, and NASA. We optimize the fit between people, the technology they use, and the organizations in which they work. Aptima’s innovative approach integrates social science and engineering to produce new knowledge and new technologies that ensure mission success. Aptima is headquartered in Woburn, MA, with offices in Washington, DC and Dayton, OH. For more information, please visit www.aptima.com.