Design and Implementation of a Virtual Workstation for a Remote AFISO

Abstract

On the basis of given use cases for the professional group of flight controllers (AFISO) and air traffic controllers (ATCO), a human machine interface with two different interaction concepts for virtual reality was developed. The aim was to facilitate the cooperation between air traffic controllers and air traffic and to enable the remote monitoring of AFIS airfields with the help of a VR headset. ATCOs have more tasks and a higher degree of authorizations, but also perform the same activities as AFISOs and can use the virtual workstation in the same way. Software and hardware solutions were identified, the usage context of the AFISO was recorded and usage and system requirements for the user interface were formulated. Based on this, an overall concept was developed that includes the virtual work environment, the head-up display and interactive objects. A user interface and two different VR prototypes for interaction were developed. The focus lied on the implementation of the AFISOs tasks and the design of his virtual workplace. Ergonomic and usability relevant aspects as well as the physical environment of the user were considered. In a series of tests with seven ATCOs and two AFISOs, the VR prototypes were tested at the DLR research center in Braunschweig and evaluated through user interviews and questionnaires.