Human Factors Engineering
"A successful system design maintains the user's situational awareness, freedom of action and skills. However, there is no universal recipe for the optimal distribution of tasks between man and machine. Rapid prototyping and realistic tests are therefore indispensable design methods."
Dr. Peter Lenhart, Head of Human Factors Engineering Group
The Research Group
The research group deals with the design, analysis and evaluation of human-machine systems. The design follows the philosophy of ‘human-centred design’. When analysing and evaluating, the focus is on the usability of the investigated human-machine interfaces. The research group has the Human-Factors-Engineering Laboratory for the investigation of human-machine systems.
Focus areas
- Flight guidance cockpit: As part of the research focus "Flight Guidance Cockpit", the Human Factors Engineering Team at the Centre for Aviation (ZAV) is dedicated to the manual control of complex 4D flight paths. The research focus aims to develop advanced technologies and procedures that support pilots in precise and safe manual control. This includes the integration of advanced display formats, such as a 4D flight path, a trajectory indicator and a TAWS (Terrain Awareness and Warning System). Furthermore, efforts are being made to transfer these technologies to contemporary platforms, such as the Apple Vision Pro or the Apple iPad and iPhone, with the objective of enhancing user-friendliness.
- Flight guidance drones:
- Airtraffic control:
- SORA tool: The SORA Tool is a web-based application that guides users through the Specific Operation Risk Assessment (SORA) process for civilian drone operations in a step-by-step manner. It provides an intuitive interface and generates a standardised SORA report that can be submitted to the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) for obtaining operational authorization. The SORA Tool is being actively developed with the aim of becoming the standard SORA application for applicants and authorities in all EASA member states.
Human Factors Engineering Laboratory:
- Cockpit Simulator- Remote Pilot Station (RPS)
- Mobile Remote Pilot Station (mRPS) Matrice 300 RTK with Zenmuse L2 LiDAR
- CockpitLens
- FlightPad: The "FlightPad" is a team-developed application available on Apple devices that simulates the functions of a Head Up Display (HUD) and allows VFR pilots to fly complex 3D flight paths manually safely, efficiently and effectively.
- TowerLens: Live depiction of air- and ground traffic in an AR application on the HoloLens 2.
- BVLOS flight witht M300 and LiDAR mRPS