HMGCC Co-Creation Challenge: Automated Audio Capture and Transcription for Defence Wargaming

Hexagonal board game with dice, pawns, cubes, cards, and chips arranged on a tabletop.

Summary of Challenge

Can you help us build a system to automatically capture audio and transcribe conversations and decisions in the rapid pace and high-pressure environment of a wargame? HMGCC Co-Creation is launching a challenge in collaboration with jHub, the central innovation hub for UK Defence’s Cyber & Specialist Operations Command.

In an increasingly uncertain world, the Ministry of Defence is increasing the frequency and intensity of training exercises. This includes wargaming: a scenario-based model in which the outcome and sequence of events affect, and are affected by, the decisions made by the players. To modernise, improve data capture and increase pace of analysis, the conversations and decisions made during wargames need to be recorded, automatically transcribed and made easy to analyse.

HMGCC Co-Creation are launching this 12-week challenge to develop a full system including all hardware and software, to a proof of concept with minimum Technology Readiness Level 6, to automatically transcribe conversations. HMGCC Co-Creation will provide funding for time, materials, overheads and other indirect expenses for successful applicants.

Context of Challenge

HMGCC Co-Creation and jHub, working with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) are seeking solutions to modernise wargaming. Wargames are a crucial exercise for commanders, used for both training and evidence-based analysis.

Wargames are scenario-based warfare models, where outcomes and events affect, and are affected by, the decisions made by players. These exercises train players to evaluate situations and make decisions faster, and allow post-game analysis to deliver evidence-based observations. A wargaming event may have anywhere from 10 to 100 personnel, using a variety of different methods and technologies. A typical format is a structured tabletop exercise, sometimes played on a physical board or via an interactive digital interface. These events take place within a classified environment to protect sensitive information.

Central to the wargame is the analysis of the data captured during play. Part of this data is the transcript of discussion, assumptions and the reasoning behind decisions taken. This is analysed afterwards so that lessons can be learnt to improve decision making and to validate or disprove hypotheses. See here for more information.

This challenge, launched by HMGCC Co-Creation, seeks a full solution to automatically capture and transcribe conversations within a classified wargame scenario.

The gap

Transcription is currently a manual process, requiring large teams of trained data capturers working in parallel across different conversations. This often produces fragmented transcripts that require subsequent cleaning, reconciliation, and interpretation before analysis can begin.

The MoD wants to modernise how wargame data is captured, with a focus on audio capture and automated transcription. The solution should provide accurate real-time transcription, using a fully digital, technology-enabled approach capable of identifying unique speakers in real-time, capturing background comments, and accurately recognising specialised language.

While commercial technologies exist that address parts of this requirement, this challenge specifically requires a solution that operates within a classified environment and integrates with on-premises IT systems. This means that wireless solutions such as Bluetooth and cloud connected computing cannot be used.

Dates

Eligibility

This challenge is open to sole innovators, industry, academic and research organisations of all types and sizes. There is no requirement for security clearances.

Solution providers or direct collaboration from countries listed by the UK government under trade sanctions and/or arms embargoes, are not eligible for HMGCC Co-Creation challenges.

How to apply

Please submit your application on the HMGCC Co-Creation website. Any queries please email co-creation@dstl.gov.uk and mcocreation@hmgcc.gov.uk.

All information you provide to us as part of your application will be handled in confidence.

Applications must be no more than six pages or six slides in length. HMGCC Co-Creation reserves the right to stop reading after six pages if this limit is breached. The page/slide limit excludes title pages, references, personnel CVs and organisational profiles.

There is no prescribed application format, however, please ensure your application includes the following:

Challenge Documents