Regarding the pilot incapacitation monitoring methods, during the first reporting period, a literature review was undertaken to sum up the state of the art in inducing and measuring mental fatigue using certain behavioural and physiological measures (eye-tracking, EEG, fNIRS). The state of interest (mental fatigue) and the three measurement methods were chosen based on the planned work indicated in the Grant Agreement.
For each measurement, the state of science was highlighted by collecting measures that have been shown to be sensitive to changes in mental fatigue, and recent studies on measuring mental fatigue and their results. Moreover, limitations of each measurement method when thinking about integrating it into a cockpit have been discussed. For the purpose of the literature review, behavioural tasks that induce mental fatigue and subjective measures of the state were researched as well to give a broader overview of the state of science on this topic.
After this, WP1 team started planning the experimental campaigns for DLR, NLR and ISAE, which are defined and detailed in the Exploratory Research Plan. In three independent experimental campaigns, the measurement methods of interest (fNIRS, EEG, eye-tracking) will be tested in their suitability to detect signs of mental fatigue and track the progress of growing mental fatigue.
In parallel, during the first months of the reporting period to establish the foundation for the CONOPS development, a state-of-the-art analysis was completed too. The analysis examined methodologies and technologies relevant to transitioning from DPO to SiPO with digital assistant integration. The outcomes include a review of SESAR background projects to identify alignment opportunities and gap, a literature review of relevant concepts, an analysis of the applicable standards and regulations, and a review of current application in other industries. Assumptions were established for defining the roles and the need of the different actors (pilots, DA, ATCO) depending on partial or fully autonomy use cases.
After completing the CONOPS SoTA, WP2 partners started working on the definition of the different CONOPS, performing a goal directed task analysis for the steps associated with aircrafts system failures in DPO and SiPO and those related with pilot incapacitation scenarios in DPO and SiPO, to identify the role of the air and ground digital assistants.
The initial concepts and approaches were shared with the IAB during the first workshop held in early May, the feedback gathered was incorporated to the definitions.
Finally, Collins and CRIDA teams have defined the architecture for the air and ground digital assistants, as well as the scope of the CONOPS demonstration exercises. The proof or concept prototypes are being implemented by both partners, and the work for the air-ground integration has been started. These assistants will apply the concept defined in CONOPS #4, supporting a SiPO safe return to land operation in case of aircraft failure.
