Human Pilots Are Helping NASA to Advance Autonomous Air Taxis—Here's How

NASA is actively engaged in research to ensure the safety of fully autonomous flight technology, a critical aspect in preparing for the potential future of air taxis. This endeavor involves a collaborative effort between NASA, DARPA, and aircraft manufacturer Sikorsky.

A dedicated team at NASA is currently examining the interaction between autonomous software and flight navigation tools. They are studying how human pilots interface with this new navigation technology to gather crucial insights.

NASA's Advanced Air Mobility

This research, undertaken with the involvement of NASA's research pilots, software developers, and flight engineers, is a pivotal component of NASA's Advanced Air Mobility initiative, which envisions an array of novel air transportation options, encompassing air taxis and delivery drones.

In an upcoming test, NASA research pilot Scott "Jelly" Howe will don specially designed glasses to track his eye movements. Additionally, biometric sensors will monitor his body temperature and brain activity throughout the flight.

The data collected will encompass Howe's real-time responses to ground control directives, aircraft controls, interactions with other aircraft, and assessments of weather conditions.

The study will also observe his utilization of a specialized tablet, through which he will select flight path options suggested by algorithms and manually input commands.

Biometric markers, including pupil dilation, heightened brain activity, increased heart rate, respiration rate, and temperature fluctuations, can unveil instances of excessive workload or elevated stress levels experienced by a pilot. This data will furnish valuable insights into pilots' behaviors during flight.

NASA researchers will leverage this information to enhance future autonomous systems, enabling them to address challenges in a manner similar to human pilots. This progress is instrumental in advancing the potential operation of air taxis within US airspace.

Biometric Devices

Dr. Tyler Fettrow, a human factors researcher at NASA, emphasized the significance of biometric devices in quantifying subconscious physiological aspects. These devices enable the capture of eye-tracking data, offering valuable information on the pilot's focal points, the duration of their fixations, and changes in pupil dilation.

This human-factors research assumes great importance due to the distinct challenges associated with integrating air taxis into the existing airspace system. Autonomous systems must navigate obstacles such as other aircraft, structures, avian species, and variable weather conditions.

NASA's comprehensive approach encompasses the seamless integration of these aircraft into the national airspace. Fettrow further stressed the importance of well-designed interfaces in Advanced Air Mobility systems.

Such interfaces must provide clear situational awareness, timely alerts and notifications, and effective communication channels to ensure safe operations in this innovative landscape of highly automated air transportation.

"Advanced Air Mobility systems typically involve a high degree of automation and interaction between the humans and technology. Designing interfaces that provide clear situational awareness, appropriate alerts and notifications, and effective communication channels is vital for safe operations," Fettrow said in a press statement.