Human Health and Performance Systems

The Human Health & Performance Systems Group develops human-centered technologies to overcome operational challenges and to enhance human capability in domains of interest to national security. Our research programs focus on innovative and objective solutions in the areas of integrated wearable systems, human-machine teaming, enhanced communications, neurocognitive analytics, and medical technologies. Our group is highly interdisciplinary and includes scientific experts in physiology, cognitive science, neuroscience, psychology, biomechanics, computer science, linguistics, engineering, and physics. Our core technical competencies include system-level modeling and gap analysis, advanced sensing and signal processing, machine learning and artificial intelligence, computational modeling, hardware and software prototyping, model-based systems engineering, and human data collection in laboratory and field environments.

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A researcher tests a prototype ankle exoskeleton adapted with machine learning capabilities to adaptively and intelligently provide assistance.

STRIVE Center

Human-Exoskeleton Fluency

Researchers at the STRIVE Center are developing a fluid, intuitive exoskeleton system to improve the technology’s use in operational environments.

A participant walks on the treadmill in a virtual hospital hallway while the platform applies a rotation perturbation.

STRIVE Center

Assessment of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Researchers at the STRIVE Center are improving methods for identifying the mechanisms underlying balance impairments in patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

systems engineering

Model-Based Systems Engineering Analysis

We are developing a tool to evaluate the landscape of wearable sensors, algorithms, and technologies and apply them to warfighter health and performance monitoring.

A screenshot of the NetProf mobile interface shows two words (the Farsi word for capacity, and the Ukranian word for self-defense), with each word broken down by phoneme.

speech recognition

Automatic Pronunciation Feedback

Powered by our automatic speech recognition technology, the Networked Pronunciation Feedback (NetProF) software application helps students practice pronunciation in foreign languages.

Psychological disorders have been shown to impact speech patterns. The PTSD screening tool will be able to detect these patterns and therefore inform military healthcare monitoring.

health

Vocal Biomarker-Based PTSD Screening Tool

Psychological disorders have been shown to impact speech patterns. The PTSD screening tool will be able to detect these patterns and therefore inform military healthcare monitoring.

An image of data within NeuroTrALE shows a black background with pale grey oval shapes that are outlined in red. These grey shapes are nuclei from neurons.

New open-source tool helps to detangle the brain

Jul 22

A person walks on a treadmill, surrounded by a domed virtual environment screen

STRIVE Center hosts University of Michigan for exoskeleton study

Sep 14

An artistic illustration of speech signals moving back and forth between speakers wearing masks.

In the Media

Vocal biomarkers can indicate COVID-19 infection

Jan 30

Nature Scientific Reports

More News

My current work is a good combination of prosaic day-to-day problem solving, while also touching on deeper questions about human mind and behavior.

Jim Williamson

Bioengineer

Biotechnology and Human Systems

Human Health and Performance Systems

Jim Williamson poses for a photo, smiling, with a wall of windows in the background.

For the future, I envision a collaborative translational center that bridges speech and language with other sensory indicators.

Thomas Quatieri

Senior Research Scientist

Biotechnology and Human Systems

Human Health and Performance Systems

Photo of Thomas Quatieri with a poster on autism spectrum disorder in the background.

My favorite kind of work is when I get to clean up and maintain a program or website and turn it into something that people can actually install and use.

Cassian Corey

Software Developer

Biotechnology and Human Systems

Human Health and Performance Systems

The Lab fuses the best parts of technological innovation with an atmosphere that embodies constant learning and growth — all in the context of service to our nation and community. Lincoln Laboratory is a beautiful place to be.