Designing man-machine cooperation in aviation.

We develop paradigms for cooperative cooperation between man and machine in aviation. The core of the idea is that human and automation, with their respective strengths, are involved in the work process in order to achieve a goal set by man.

Our research focus is on advanced automation approaches that fully reflect the responsible role of humans. The assessment of the overall system takes special account of aspects of human factors engineering.

In this context, we are investigating the approach of "Dual Mode Cognitive Automation" in the future-oriented research field of highly automated manned and unmanned aerial systems.

Based on models taken from cognitive psychology and ergonomics, we investigate the strengths, but also analyse human limitations and develop meaningful machine support. New technical possibilities in automation technology, robotics and artificial intelligence are used in particular. In addition to the development of theoretical approaches, we also face the challenge of demonstrating the benefits of the methods in research simulators or small aircraft developed in-house.

We deliberately seek contact with potential users, for example in test campaigns with pilots of the Armed Forces and civil institutions. The concepts developed, for example in the form of cognitive assistance systems, are used to control human workload and to improve the situational awareness of crews. In this way we contribute to increasing flight safety and decision quality in human-machine systems in aviation.

Applied Research

With its research activities, the Chair of Aircraft Dynamics & Flight Guidance opens up innovative fields of application in connection with intelligent automation of flying systems. By developing and testing appropriate laboratory prototypes, we are advancing into new functional areas. For example, traditionally pure pilot tasks in flight and mission management are performed by machine functions (mission management). Cognitive pilot assistance systems function as digital co-pilots (operator/pilot assistance). The management of unmanned aircraft becomes more efficient and efficient through autonomous capabilities (UAV automation/autonomy).

Fundamental Research

With its basic research activities, the Chair of Aircraft Dynamics & Flight Guidance contributes to the development of modern theoretical approaches for the cooperative interaction of humans with cognitive automation in flight systems. By testing our laboratory prototypes we gain well-founded scientific insights. For example, machine functionalities are investigated that reflect the mental state of humans in order to control the work process adaptively (adaptive automation/autonomy). Methods and algorithms of artificial intelligence are made available to the application developer in the form of cognitive architectures (cognitive architectures). Novel paradigms for the interaction of man and machine are systematically derived (human-automation integration).