Velocity by Booz Allen

Advanced Analytics for Accelerated Readiness The power of coupling biometric and mission performance data lies in how it is analyzed and applied so leaders can make responsible, effective decisions about their formations. For example, instead of making decisions about personnel based on intuition and observation, leaders can use psychophysiological data to track subtle indicators and anomalies that predict compromised performance. That’s where predictive data analytics, AI, and machine learning (ML) come into play. Automated AI algorithms empower leaders with a current and future-state snapshot of individual and team readiness. With predictive analytics, they can anticipate when members may not perform at their peak capacity because they need to recover from injury, illness, or other stressors. Detecting potential threats in advance creates opportunities to deliver preventive care individuals need before compromising their health or the mission. In practice, however, how does this intelligence come together for individuals and their leaders to digest and use for decision-making? Dashboards and visualizations (see Figure 2) must be set up with end users in mind to deliver an analysis

Information is great, but it’s what you do with it that matters. Metrics should give insight into how a person is exerting and recovering, offering suggestions and assistance along the way.”

that is accessible, actionable, and relevant so clear actions can be taken. These dashboards cater to various user personas, including individual warfighters, unit leaders, and commanders. Individuals can use the information to improve readiness on their own by identifying and addressing things like sleep quality, cardio conditioning, and stress levels. Unit commanders can use information about individuals to assemble the best-performing team for a particular mission. And senior commanders can focus on overall readiness for the battlespace by projecting the performance of U.S. forces. Glimpsing the Future Technological breakthroughs will continue to expand the potential for integrated and personalized human performance and mission analytics. The research community is also advancing the field, applying emerging methods, such as the physics-derived Lyapunov model of how chaotic systems work together, with sensor data to derive new insights about human performance. The opportunity to accelerate force readiness and effectiveness by harnessing advances in biometric and mission-sensing technologies and cutting-edge data analytics is limitless. And the landscape is changing quickly, with future mission applications coming into view.

As we look to the future of human performance, areas of high-impact innovation include: • Human-machine teaming. Advances in autonomous sensors can one day allow machines to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of their human partner, then make up the deficit to improve performance of the team as a whole.

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Digital twins. Next-generation simulations— including digital twins of humans—will continue informing how defense organizations design, integrate, and field new systems into combat ensembles. Noninvasive neurosensing. Neuroplasticity means human performance changes over time, so the neuroscience element of warfighter training is essential. Technological innovations in noninvasive sensing devices—through electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain-computer interface (BCI) systems—are further expanding ways to get reliable, precise data about brain activity during high- intensity training periods. Wearables. Investments in advanced levels of customization will help wearable technology meet the specialized needs of individuals in the military community. “Innovation on this front will allow for more unique, rich biometrics,” Jeff Collins, a human performance lead at ŌURA, maker of Oura Ring, said recently. “It will also allow for new mechanisms, such as measuring data optically through the skin.”

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—Jeff Collins, Human Performance, Oura Ring

boost their recovery, and remain healthy and resilient for longer, leading to extended and more sustainable military careers. This career extension is especially critical today, given the convergence of factors that is making it extremely challenging for the military to meet its recruiting needs. The benefits of improved warfighter well-being to the military overall compound quickly, supporting a more effective force. But these breakthroughs are not ultimately about the technology or the insights that can be derived through AI. They are about the military’s greatest asset—its force, from warfighters to operators—and optimizing their individual physical and psychological readiness and performance on and off the battlefield. Munjeet Singh is a senior vice president and the leader of Booz Allen’s BrightLabs incubator, an experimentation organization designed to develop, test, and incubate mission-centric solutions rooted in emerging technology. Cameron Mayer , a senior vice president at Booz Allen, leads the firm’s Defense Accelerated Readiness business with a focus on data driven solutions. Dave Prakash, MD, is an executive advisor at Booz Allen, an Air Force veteran pilot, and a physician—focusing his expertise on AI for defense and health.

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Figure 2: Performance Dashboard Illustration

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LEGEND

HRV: Above 1 Standard Deviation of Baseline SLEEP: 7.5+ hours

HRV: Within 1 Standard Deviation of Baseline SLEEP: Between 5 and 7.5 hours

HRV: Below 1 Standard Deviation of Baseline SLEEP: Below 5 hours

Each of these advancements should be centered around empowering warfighters to understand and act on their own data, as Spann did at the Warrior Games. “Information is great, but it’s what you do with it that matters,” Collins added. “Metrics should give insight into how a person is exerting and recovering, offering suggestions and assistance along the way.” As individuals swiftly identify and tackle cognitive and physical issues, they can enhance their performance,

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ACCELERATED READINESS: Human Performance Technology Analytics

AMOUNT OF SLEEP BY HRV OVER TIME

SLEEP ANALYSIS July 2, 2023 - July 8, 2023

6 14 75 51 SLEEP DURATION AVG. min SLEEP EFFICIENCY AVG. hrs

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The integration of wearable technology in elite sports emphasizes both physical training and cognitive readiness, promoting peak performance through holistic approaches.

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In the military, the fusion of human performance science with mission analytics ensures optimal readiness by addressing mental preparedness, stress, and individual factors, reshaping training outcomes.

The convergence of biometric technology, mission sensing, and data analytics propels improved decision-making, effective training, and extended careers, supporting a resilient and effective military force.

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