Pilot eye gaze and gesture tracking for avionics systems using unobtrusive solutions
As the capabilities of cockpit systems increase, the way in which the pilots interact with them evolves. At the same time, flight management concepts and tools continue to increase in complexity, as well as flight and non-flight data streams, which consequently challenges the pilots’ abilities to cope with the information they need to be aware of, and exerts pressure on their cognitive states.

In in framework of the development of new Human System Interfaces carried out in WP1.2.4 the Clean Sky 2 SYSTEMS ITD, the PEGGASUS project proposes an approach to bring innovative smart vision systems to cockpits. The system we propose to develop is a crew interface and monitoring system implementing eye gaze, face, and gesture tracking technologies to bring new functionalities to Human-Machine Interfaces in the cockpit. It consists in a set of NIR-sensitive cameras powered by Computer Vision and Machine Learning algorithms running on a central processing unit. Three prototypes will be developed from a standalone lab prototype, to a TRL5 model integrated in the topic leader’s “cockpit demonstrator”. The system design shall be compliant with aircraft cockpit installation, the operational environment and pre-certification requirements. The requirements defined at the beginning of the project with the topic leader’s inputs, will be verified after its successful integration into the “cockpit demonstrator” avionics.

PEGGASUS brings together partners able to cover the complete value chain of innovative product development: SERMA Engineering (FR), an OEM for aeronautical equipment, CSEM (CH) an RTD with proven experience in innovative technologies for aeronautics, ETHZ (CH) represented by the Geogaze lab that conducts cutting edge research with eye tracking technology, particularly for the use in aviation training, and Swiss (CH), an airline and potential end user who will provide expertise in crew interfaces and monitoring.