A novel Human Machine Interaction (HMI) design/ evaluation approach supporting the advancement of improved automation concepts to enhance flight safety

This paper presents a novel Human Machine Interaction (HMI) design/evaluation methodology, supporting the specification and evaluation of a new adaptive automation concept, both from a functional and an operational/safety perspective. This methodology has been advanced as part of the work requirements for the Applying Pilot Models for Safety Aircraft (A-PiMod) project, funded by the European Commission. Critically, this methodology integrates/combines formal HMI design/evaluation approaches (i.e. user interviews and simulator evaluation) with an integrated stakeholder approach to evaluation. The objective of this paper is to highlight (1) what is new in this overall approach (i.e. integration of formal HMI approaches such as simulator evaluation with stakeholder evaluation approaches, decomposition of project goals to project objectives, evaluation objectives and key performance indicators); (2) what is new in the specific stakeholder approach to evaluation (i.e. the set-up of a Community of Practice involving both internal and external stakeholders, and the integration of this methodology with wider HMI evaluation activities); and (3), what the methodology delivers in terms of ensuring improved levels of safety and reliability for the aviation sector. The evaluation of this methodology will be based on an analysis of project outcomes to date.