SPAACE - 3D Audio Support for Confined Area Operations

Abstract

A major challenge in aviation and cockpit design is data overload, especially in the visual channel, and associated breakdowns in monitoring systems. These problems are expected to worsen with new and increasingly complex missions, which will require pilots to manage higher volumes of data and adopt novel responsibilities. Multimodal approaches and especially newly developed 3D audio systems have the potential to become a major part of operating systems in the future. Current cockpits convey audio only as warning- or information-sound. This paper documents a helicopter simulator study to test a recently developed 3D audio system to support pilots in future cockpits, which is accurate enough for real-time applications. The system is named SPAACE - Spatial Pilot Audio Assistance. Sixteen professional helicopter pilots (from law enforcement, search and rescue service and VIP transportation) flew approaches, hovering and vertical landings close to obstacles in challenging areas and weather conditions, whereby the audio system enabled them to noticeably improve their flying. Results show that pilots can maintain a hover close to an obstacle with the support of spatial audio. The distance to the desired landing position improves noticeably. Results of questionnaires and interviews with the pilots indicate that the system is easy to use and requires only minimal training. Pilots reported longer head-up time and better situation awareness during the missions with 3D audio assistance.