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DARPA Cockpit Project

  1. The interface
  2. The interface with the pilot in danger
  3. The interface placed on a screen
  4. The interface, redux

Augmented Cognition in Complex Environments

Civilization has enjoyed powered flight for over 100 years. The first aircraft included a wind powered airspeed indicator. As aviation technology advanced, more gauges were added to the instrument cluster. Today, modern “glass cockpit” solutions use many of the interface conventions previously intended for the original “steam” gauges. Due to this pilots face the challenge of increasing information overload in an already complex environment.

In partnership with Alion Science and Technology, Tanagram Partners researched and developed a solution.

Through a DARPA funded Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant titled, “Knowledge Flow in Command and Control” Tanagram researched, designed, prototyped and tested a conceptual interface for the F-35. The goal being to incorporate natural metaphors and maximize situational awareness.

Tests with Naval aviators on a proprietary flight simulator (CogPit) showed improvements in flight performance, situational awareness, and user acceptance. Key functionality groupings including Workload Assist, Cognitive Assist, and Real-Time Performance Assessment. These were developed and tested successfully. Plans are now underway, leveraging our research to develop next generation Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) technology.