New UAS control methods

A team from Iowa State University is using virtual reality technology to develop “immersive” ground control stations that will give operators of military unmanned aircraft (UAV) an overall view of their planes and the battle space they are flying over.

This approach inverts the typical paradigm for conveying information to UAV jockeys, according to VRAC. Because rather than augmenting the real-time camera picture with sensor generated information, the new interface works more like a virtual operating theater–one that’s constantly fed by a myriad array of spatial and temporal information sources.

The idea is to use novel eye-tracking and voice control technology to provide a shared, situational awareness interface, which robo plane crews can then monitor and interact with on large screen displays.

“We’re also developing and measuring the effectiveness of new human interface techniques, which will enable operators to effectively control multiple, semi-autonomous aircraft. Already, up to 230 persons can be interfaced to participate in the system simultaneously,” research leader Dr. James Oliver said in an interview with Space War.

(Credit: VRAC)