If you thought augmented reality apps in the travel industry were all about new ways of consuming destination information, then one day you may be able to add airline pilots and airport runways to the mix.
That's because NASA's Langley Research Center has developed a display system that pilots could wear on their heads as a safety measure, particularly as they taxi along runways at night or during inclement conditions. The head-warn gear would display a clear electronic image of the aircraft's surroundings despite the real-world conditions.
Pilots wouldn't face the distraction of having to glance down at their aircrafts' instrument panels as a voice-controlled system "displays a real-time, virtual display of the airplane's surroundings," NASA says, adding:
The NASA system includes a head-worn display, a head tracker, computer hardware and software, and a voice recognition system. The system displays computer-generated images of the airport, taxi route and traffic information on the head-up display, replacing traditional paper airport maps that pilots typically carry.
The head-tracking system uses symbols to places and objects on the exterior of the aircraft, NASA says.
The research center's development of the augmented reality display system evolved out of NASA's Synthetic Vision technology, a product of the NASA Aviation Safety Program.
Publicity about the new system for pilots came to light because NASA is seeking companies which would be interested in licensing the rights to manufacture, commercialize and market the system.
"Initial testing shows that this system provides significant safety and operational benefits during aircraft surface operations by enabling pilots to taxi alertly without having to look down at the cockpit screen," NASA says.
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Note: Images courtesy of NASA