Implementing English speech interface to Jaguar robot for SWAT training

This paper describes the development of a specialized application for voice command recognition for the Jaguar V4 robot in conjunction with the Starkville, MS, USA Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team during training. This training took place at The Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS), which provides a specialized environment for police SWAT training. This reconfigurable space, setup during this study as a two bedroom apartment, includes video monitoring of the space, sound playback and capturing, reconfigurable lighting, etc. This training environment is used for testing different kinds of human-robot interfaces in SWAT training operations. The results of the voice integration evaluation indicated that voice commands could be successfully used for controlling additional functions of the robot after a short introductory training session with a few of the police officers. These preliminary observations were encouraging and provides support for further investigation into the usefulness of this technology.