Virtual Pilot: agent-based simulation for effective training

The military increasingly use simulators and games to train personnel for performing specialized tasks under complex conditions. In many of these training programs, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) of the training staff play various roles such as adversaries, team mates or other own forces. The advantage of SMEs is that they have the expertise to take the context into account when responding to trainee actions, thus keeping the scenario in focus of the learning objectives. However, the downside of dependency on SMEs to deliver training is that it elevates costs of training and demands organizational and logistic efforts (van den Bosch & van Doesburg, 2007). New technology may help to solve this problem by developing virtual humans (agents) to play the supporting roles autonomously (van den Bosch, Harbers, Heuvelink, & Doesburg, 2009). Agents that show realistic and intelligent behavior can make training more traceable, more systematic, and more cost-efficient. In perspective of continuing budget reductions, the military aims to develop and employ the technology of intelligent agents for their training programs.