Quantum leap in cockpit display design
With ever-increasing technology and complexity of pilots' required information, display optimisation is critical to avoid saturating the crew with information. In addition, the design must be flexible to allow incorporation of new functions or replacement of outdated ones.Tomorrow's cockpits will therefore have to integrate new functions currently under development. These include four-dimensional (4D) trajectory, an airport navigation system, synthetic vision and a variety of mission management functions to support green operations. Scientists initiated the EU-funded project 'One display for a cockpit interactive solution' (Odicis) to develop a single-display cockpit and test its functionality. The focus was on flexibility of the system architecture, optimisation of useful surface area and continuity of information. Taken together, achievement of these objectives was proposed to increase operational safety and efficiency while reducing development cost. The Odicis consortium successfully developed the single display mock-up consisting of a seamless interface with a curved surface that was presented for the first time at the 2011 Paris Air Show. From an original 351 user-defined requirements, scientists came up with a suitable graphics generator and image management algorithms integrated into the projection solution. They employed a human–machine interface (HMI) with a tactile system and a display suited to the requirements for each fundamental format (flight display, navigation display, system pages, etc.). Technical and operational evaluations addressed aspects related to the ability of the projection system to maintain image integrity at wide viewing angles. The Odicis cockpit display is expected to set the standards for a new generation of cockpit design rules. The curved, touch-screen projection display affords an optimal combination of space used and information displayed to enhance the efficiency and safety of aircraft operation.
