Model-Driven Engineering as the Interface for Tactical Operation Order of Mixed Robot/Human Platoons

Technological advance is an enabler for the evolution of modern warfare for occidental armies. But the technological challenges are far beyond building new weapon systems such as semi-autonomous robotic systems and drones. An additional challenge is the elaboration of the necessary infrastructure substrate that will enable the smooth integration of these semi-autonomous systems into teamed human/robot platoons. In this paper, we explore how we can use model-driven engineering (MDE-borrowed from software engineering) to address this specific challenge. We report our experiment on designing a suitable metamodel that reifies the concepts from the PROTERRE tasks of the French group to company units. The metamodel is then used as the abstract interface between the chiefs, their human subordinates, and their robots, each using their own modalities. Our preliminary results confirm the suitability of MDE technologies in this context. We also show that MDE adapts well to modalities that are unusual in software engineering, such as gesture communication.