The objective of this Growing Convergence Research project is to develop emotionally-responsive computing systems that can detect human emotions and automatically deploy resources or prioritize services to meet human needs in disaster or crises situations. This research is motivated by the need to more rapidly assess the massive data flows that occur during crisis events to better respond to the situations. Through the convergence of computer and computational sciences, neurotechnology, and psychological sciences, this project will develop technologies that can monitor humans' emotions and process the emotional states to strategically deploy resources to address human needs. Emotionally-responsive computing systems could be used by 911 call-centers to prioritize calls or by first-responders responding to a public threat.

This exploratory research will a) develop and validate computational assessments of human behavior in controlled virtual reality simulation, b) develop an integrated physiological measurement package targeting electrodermal activity, heart rate, electroencephalography, and pupillometry, and c) assess whether systems that adapt to emotional states must be trained toward the individual or group types. Key research questions focus on understanding the timescale at which emotions can and should be sensed in reaction to situational changes and the diversity of human emotional responses and group dynamics.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Office of International and Integrative Activities (IIA)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
1934968
Program Officer
Dragana Brzakovic
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2019-10-01
Budget End
2021-09-30
Support Year
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
$800,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Columbia University
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10027