CoStar/NeBula Science Communication
Phase 01 and 02
The Co-Star/NeBula team at JPL was one of the winning groups for the DARPA Subterranean Challenge. The Art and Design team at ARCS will assist the Co-Star team in further developing science communication touchpoints to explain the AI concepts of their NeBula system. The NeBula software system is under development by CoStar to address stochasticity and uncertainty in various elements of missions, including sensing, environment, motion, system health, and communication, among others. NeBula has been implemented on multiple heterogeneous robotic platforms (wheeled, legged, tracked, and flying vehicles). CSUN has an opportunity to engage in further exploration and research with these robotic platforms to conduct experiments on the CSUN campus.
The specific deliverables for the Art and Design team thus far have been illustrations and visualizations of how the NeBula system works with a network of UAV exploring caves on the Moon or Mars. We have also been engaged in redesigning Co-Star’s website to create a more user-friendly layout that communicates with non-science audiences. Finally, we are in development of a video that demonstrates a time-based narrative to further explain how NeBula systems work in a cave exploration scenario.
This team will continue to support science communication to further enhance the reputation and visibility of the Co-Star/NeBula project.
Lead Researcher
- Joe Bautista – ARCS Associate Director
Collaborator
- Ali-akbar Agha-mohammadi, JPL
Student Team
- Roslene Villalon
- Erica Bettencourt
- Andila Wijekulasuriya
- Youjin Shin
Funding
- Funding Organization: NASA
- Funding Program: MIRO
Alignment, Engagement and Contributions to the priorities of NASA’s Mission Directorates
Phase 01 and 02
- This project aligns with NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate to solve challenges that exist in Human Exploration on other planets.
- This system will allow for autonomous robot exploration to provide necessary data and information without the risk of human life.
Research Questions and Research Objectives
Phase 01 and 02
- How can we use communication strategy and design to further enhance, educate, and promote the mission and value of the CoStar/NeBula team?
Research Methods
Phase 01 and 02
Brand/Creative Strategy
- Defining Target Audiences
- Qualitative and Quantitative feedback
- Communication Data Analytics
User Experience Design
- Usability Testing Research
- Additional research to explain why existing designs are not effective
Colors, Fonts, spacing, User concerns and impediments
Marketing tactics and feedback
Research Deliverables and Products
Phase 01 and 02
The anticipated deliverables are interactive touchpoints such as a highly engaging and informative website and marketing/PR touchpoints such as social media and new releases. We intend to develop a series of videos for explaining the science to various audiences. We hope to prepare a case study of the project and possibly present at a design conference.
Research Timeline
Start Date: June – August 2020
End Date: October 2021
Lead Researcher
- Joe Bautista – ARCS Associate Director
Collaborator
- Ali-akbar Agha-mohammadi, JPL
Student Team
- Roslene Villalon
- Erica Bettencourt
- Andila Wijekulasuriya
- Youjin Shin
Funding
- Funding Organization: NASA
- Funding Program: MIRO