Advanced Visualisation Lab

The rapid growth in the number of active satellites orbiting the Earth provides both challenges and opportunities for real-time data analysis and decision-making. Supported by the SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre, the Advanced Visualisation Laboratory investigates novel display environments and data visualisation strategies for real-time space systems.

Projects conducted within the Advanced Visualisation Laboratory include:

ACTIVE-SDA

Tracking, classifying and modelling satellite orbits is becoming an increasingly complex task. Human operators are becoming more reliant on automation for space domain awareness (SDA). Working with industry partners – CGI and RMIT – Swinburne is developing a demonstrator to explore the use of artificial intelligence and advanced data visualisation techniques to enhance SDA and related mission systems.  

3D-hyperspectral data visualisation for Earth observation

Hyperspectral detectors are becoming increasingly important in remote sensing applications for improved Earth observation. Hyperspectral cameras take images through many narrowband filters – allowing accurate classification of surface features (e.g. vegetation, minerals and soil, water bodies). The resulting data product can be treated as a three-dimensional (3D) data cube with two spatial dimensions (i.e. positions on the Earth’s surface) and one wavelength axis. Using data visualisation techniques that were developed for hyperspectral data from astronomy,  the Advanced Visualisation Laboratory investigates novel display modes including large-format tiled displays (e.g. the 83-Megapixel Swinburne Discovery Wall) and virtual reality environments.  

Multi-spacecraft mission simulation and visualisation

Astrodynamical simulations provide a crucial input to space mission planning and operations. Interactive visualisation of mission configurations, particularly for multi-spacecraft constellations or formation-flying scenarios, plays an important role in both understanding options and communicating outcomes to a variety of end users or audiences. Through a combination of industry consultation and desktop research, Dr Michael Afful investigated the capabilities of open source and commercial software options for mission simulation. Through an improved understanding the needs of end users, this work contributes to advancing Australia’s capabilities in mission simulation, operations and space domain awareness.

Human performance in time-critical decision making is influenced by a combination of mental workload, stress, situational awareness and expertise. Decision-making processes in high-risk, time-pressured scenarios are now regularly supported by artificial intelligence (AI); however, the integration of computational support through the inclusion of one or more AI team members needs to be approached thoughtfully. 

Our transdisciplinary team brings together expertise in measuring and assessing skilled performance, human sensory and cognitive processing, human factors, data visualisation, human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence and computer vision.

This project is:

• investigating the role of an AI team member as a monitor of individual decision-making performance
• studying the characteristics of effective cyber-human teams through the integration of an AI team-member
• exploring the role of an AI team member in human-machine teams where the AI is the most valuable player (MVP).

This project is supported by the Next Generation Technologies Fund and the Defence AI Research Network (DAIRNet) and is conducted in partnership with La Trobe University.