Air taxis may become the premium mode of travel in the future U.S. transportation ecosystem.<\/p>\n
If the current NASA study returns substantial information, there is a vast potential for air taxis quickly carrying people to relatively short distances, and eventually some may fly without a pilot aboard. <\/p>\n
The U.S. space agencys aid it is helping prepare for that future with research to ensure that fully autonomous flight technology<\/span> is safe.<\/p>\n Currently, a NASA study team is evaluating how autonomous software can work with flight navigation tools. And to get that information, they’re investigating how human pilots interact with the new flight navigation technology.<\/p>\n This work, involving the agency’s research pilots, software developers, and flight engineers, is critical for NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility mission. It ams for a future of new air transportation options including air taxis and delivery drones. The research is part of an automation software development collaboration between NASA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the aircraft manufacturer Sikorsky.<\/p>\n During an upcoming test, NASA research pilot Scott “Jelly” Howe will wear specially designed glasses that track the movement of his pupils, as well as biometric sensors that measure his body temperature and brain activity during flight. <\/p>\n In June, Howe tested specialized retinal movement tracking glasses at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The glasses will help researchers working to design air taxis understand how a pilot visually experiences the cockpit and interacts with flight navigation tools. Data gathered will include Howe’s real-time reactions to ground control instructions, aircraft controls, the presence of other aircraft, and weather. The research will also monitor his use of a specially designed tablet into which he will select algorithm suggested flight path options and manually input commands.<\/p>\n NASA researchers will use that data to improve future autonomous systems, so that they can respond to possible hazards that human pilots may face, paving the way for air taxi operations in the U.S. airspace.<\/p>\n “The biometric devices we employ enable us to quantify physiological aspects that are typically subconscious,” said NASA human factors researcher Dr. Tyler Fettrow. “Through these devices, we capture eye tracking data, providing insights into where the pilot’s attention is focused, the duration of their fixations, and changes in pupil dilation.”<\/p>\n In the existing airspace system, autonomous systems like air taxis will have to avoid obstacles such as other aircraft, buildings, birds, and weather. NASA said it is looking at the larger blueprint of how these aircraft will be integrated into the national airspace.<\/p>\n “Advanced Air Mobility systems typically involve a high degree of automation and interaction between the humans and technology,” Fettrow said. “Designing interfaces that provide clear situational awareness, appropriate alerts and notifications, and effective communication channels is vital for safe operations.” <\/p>\n