Voice input/output applications in helicopter-cockpits

The workload of helicopter pilots can be characterized by high visual demands and two continually busy hands. Analyzing the situation, some very critical tasks can be found (especially in helicopters with only one pilot), where additional input facilities and information channels are needed. It was experimentally tested in a helicopter simulator which improvements can be achieved by integrating voice input, voice output and speechfiling systems. Tasks like frequency selection for communication channels, voice output for checklists and emergency procedures and speechfiling of flightplans, weather data and pilots' notes were selected. Recognition results as well as subjective evaluations show that the voice channel is a valuable addition to existing communication forms, especially for helicopters with only one pilot. An integration of voice systems with high acceptability, however, needs further improvements of existing technology, which partially can be achieved by using more "intellige nt" structures and procedures. Therefore the results are discussed under special consideration of the improvements achievable by adding "artificial intelligence (AI)" to the system.