Human factors laboratory for future air systems

At a time when flight systems are becoming increasingly autonomous and remote-controlled, the need to study how human nature works in conjunction with technology is growing. The LiU Human-Factor Laboratory examines how human factors affect different situations.

This is a project for a human factors lab for future air systems. The work is based on earlier efforts within National Aviation Engineering Research Programme (NFFP) 6 as well as NFFP-external efforts. The goal is both to implement a lab and also to demonstrate it. As an outcome of the project Linköping University (LiU) at the Department of Computer and Information Science (IDA) and Research Institutes of Sweden RISE SICS East will get access to a human factors lab with the potential of aiding future research within the domain.

There will be two main work packages. 1) Implementation of a human factors lab for future air systems. 2) Demonstration and test of the lab. Implementation, demonstration, and testing will be performed at Linköpings Universitet (LiU) på Institutionen för Datavetenskap (IDA) och Research Institutes of Swenen RISE SICS East.

Resources Show/Hide content

C3Fire - an exercise in teamwork

The film shows a simulation of the game C3Fire where the goal is to extinguish a number of forrest fires. The scenario is took about 14 minutes, but the movie is speeded up to more clearly visualize the exercise. C3Fire is an environment that supports education and research in teamwork. The environment is mainly used in command, control and communication research and in the education of team decisions. C3Fire can be used to practice controlling multiple UAVs in connection with a fire.

Robot control through VR

Here we show a project where we connected a VR headset to a humanoid robot where the user is able to "be the robot". The user sees what the robot sees and the robot follows the user's movements. In the video we use HTC Vive VR headset and an Aldebaran Pepper robot.

Gas turbine simulator

The gas turbine simulator examines the various thermo- and aerodynamic phenomena that occur in a gas turbine under different boundary conditions. The result of various changes and what happens at the level of detail in the jet engine can be followed in real time on the screens. Changes to the various boundary conditions are made through a user interface or with an input from a flight simulator. The Matlab-based programming language makes it easy to quickly understand and modify the complex control system. The simulator also offers the opportunity to solve real regulatory problems through a fully-enabled and open-programmable FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control).

Robot-based flight simulator

[A flight experience more realistic is provided by this simulator as the pilot´s commands are transformed into robot´s inputs which moves the cockpit according to the aerodynamic model of a real aircraft. Inside the cockpit, the pilot is provided with all inceptors s/he would find in a real aircraft such as sidestick, power level, flaps selector and pedals. Currently, the visual system consists of a single monitor and a blackout cover, which reduces external disturbances. The pilot can selected visual scenarios from a great number of options such as airfields, day/night flights, dry/ wet flight etc. which are part of the X-Plane flight simulator library.text in field]

MATB-II evaluates pilot performance and capacity

MATB-II is a program developed by NASA, designed to evaluate pilot performance and workload capacity. MATB-II provides a comparison index with a set of tasks that correspond to the activities performed by pilots during flight. MATB-II requires simultaneous execution of monitoring, dynamic resource management and task tracking. The program can also be used for other purposes such as evaluating overall ability to handle multiple tasks in parallel.

Researchers Show/Hide content

Department of Computer and Information Science

Björn Johansson

Professor

Tom Ziemke

Professor, Head of Unit

Anders Fröberg

Lecturer

Department of Management and Engineering

Roland Gårdhagen

Associate professor, Head of Division

RISE SICS East AB

RISE SICS East AB

Responsible for research system C3Fire

RISE SICS East

Divisions in collaboration Show/Hide content

Human-Centered Systems (HCS)

The research and teaching at the Division for Human-centered systems (HCS) at the Department of Computer and Information Science is highly interdisciplinary.

Applied Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics (MVS)

Applied Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics is a division at the Department of Management and Engineering. Thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid mechanics are just few of the areas we study and teach.

House B, entrance 27, Campus Valla, LiU.

Department of Computer and Information Science (IDA)

IDA is one of the largest departments in northern Europe in computer and information science. Research at IDA covers the areas of artificial intelligence; cognition, interaction and design; software and computer systems; and data science.

Department of Management and Engineering (IEI)

The Department of Management and Engineering (IEI) strengthens and develops tomorrow’s industry, business world and society by ground-breaking research, education and innovation.