Mind Control

[Chronus]

It has been reported that Honeywell has recently opened the doors to its advanced technology labs to give a glimpse at some of the research under way to the future flight deck environment.

These new technologies cover, from sensors that tap into brainwaves to control basic aircraft maneuvers to speech-recognition equipment and synthetic vision advancements.

Apparently Honeywell has demonstrated use of neural- control in a King Air, using the inputs to command basic pitch and roll functions.

It is claimed that their research might open up possibilities in the study of human factors, such as brain response during loss of control.

At the thought, my brain hurts...

[Ian W]

I wonder what would happen with a fatigued pilot with 'micro sleeps' or just nodding off into a dream?

[NSEU]

And would the software recognise the difference between "I have control" (procedure) and "I wish I was in control" (ego) :P

[Chronus]

I wonder what would happen with a fatigued pilot with 'micro sleeps' or just nodding off into a dream?
I would expect the software engineers would have anticipated that and programmed the computer to gently encouraging him to remain alert by means of device much along the lines of an electric cattle prod possibly built into the seat.
So far as NSEU`s question is concerned, yes must be the answer, with the addition that it will also recognise " I wish I was sitting on my thunder box rather than here when I am about to let loose ". Maybe they are working out a way to control the sphincter as well.

[JammedStab]

Whatever you do, Do Not Sneeze.

[Piltdown Man]

Brilliant. The bunch of clowns who make you press six buttons for a direct, can't get CPDLC working, who can't design a standard look-and-feel interface, who have multiple pages of rubbish in their FMS's are going into brain control. I suppose the flare will occur when you close your eyes. And the aircraft will never go to the wrong OL NDB. Why are they wasting their time? When they have perfection with buttons only then think about removing them.

PM

[FlyingStone]

I'm with Piltdown Man on this one...

Honeywell FMS on A320 is a joke, takes 10-15 seconds to calculate a simple thing like where the aircraft will reach FCU with V/S -1000 ft/min. Also, the infamous PAGE UPDATE IN PROCESS is there just to piss you off.

Not to mention the intentionally hidden and very onerous ways of entering airways. Especially when you have an airway, followed by direct, followed by airway, etc. - as is the case with modern airspace.

When they manage to bring the current technology to a level that is not a pain to operate on a daily basis, I'd be glad to see what they can do with mind controlled systems.