Review of head-worn displays for the Next Generation Air Transportation System

Abstract

Abstract. NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) has conducted research in the area of helmet-mounted display (HMD)/head-worn display (HWD) over the past 30 years. Initially, NASA LaRC's research focused on military applications, but recently NASA has conducted a line of research in the area of HWD for commercial and business aircraft. This work revolved around numerous simulation experiments as well as flight tests to develop technology and data for industry and regulatory guidance. This paper summarizes the results of NASA's HMD/HWD research. Of note, the work tracks progress in wearable collimated optics, head tracking, latency reduction, and weight. The research lends credence to a small, sunglasses-type form factor of the HWD being acceptable to commercial pilots, and this goal is now becoming technologically feasible. The research further suggests that an HWD may serve as an "equivalent" head-up display (HUD) with safety, operational, and cost benefits. "HUD equivalence" appears to be the economic avenue by which HWDs can become mainstream on the commercial and business aircraft flight deck. If this happens, NASA's research suggests that additional operational benefits using the unique capabilities of the HWD can open up new operational paradigms.

An approach to situation awareness (SA) assessment in flight simulation: SA dynamic circulation (SADC) model

“…In contrast, the use of HUD might explain the fact that although the flight operations are complex during the take‐off and approaching scenarios, subjects are still able to keep a relatively ideal SA (manifesting as the relative shorter SPAM response time and higher 10D‐SART scores). Related studies indicate that the HUD avoided the frequent scanning of attention behavior across the head down displays and the view scene outside the cockpit, which is beneficial for the formation and maintenance of good SA (Arthur et al, 2017; Fadden et al, 2001; Kim & Kaber, 2014; Prinzel & Risser, 2004; Wickens, 2005).…”

Review of augmented reality in aerospace industry

“…In contrast, HMD allow for greater FOV by giving pilots the freedom of head movement (Collinson, 2011). However, as a light-emitting device positioned close to the human eye, the HMD may cause visually induced motion sickness and temporary optical or neurological damage to the user (Arthur et al, 2017;Aukstakalnis, 2017).…”

A year in review

“…2 Another top paper on flash lidar 3 was also part of this special section. Four additional top-downloaded papers were review papers on laser feedback interferometry, 4 head-mounted displays for air transportation, 5 terahertz photoconductive antenna technology, 6 and conformal displays. 7 The final three in the top-ten download list included special section papers on white light interferometric microscopy 8 and anisoplanatic imaging through turbulence, 9 along with a regular paper on laser-induced damage of camera sensors.…”