Hands Free Data Collection for Aircraft Maintainers

The objective of this Phase II development is to deliver a robust prototype system that will enter and access high quality maintenance data, hands free at the point of maintenance. The system will allow the avatar to provide an Autonomic Communication Exchange (ACE) with the maintainer as he/she performs a task. Users will respond to the avatar commands using multi-modal input, combinations of voice recognition, head tracking and gesture control devices to complete documentation electronically. High demand on our military aircraft and the corresponding lean maintenance workforce require technicians to maintain focused attention on repairing mission incapable aircraft, leaving little time to document their actions. Innovative technologies that permit focused attention on fixing aircraft, rather than accessing and entering maintenance data, will reduce the time to complete maintenance actions while minimizing errors in data entry. Sophisticated human-computer interactions will start by leveraging effective characteristics of human communication, interaction techniques, and interfaces that communicate effectively.