Agent-based pilot-vehicle interfaces: concept and prototype

The task support system (TSS), an integrative pilot-vehicle interface that consists of a collection of active software units called agents, is discussed. System agents represent aircraft and environmental systems and subsystems, providing databases and control interfaces to support the activities of task agents. Task agents represent tasks the pilot must accomplish in the mission. They assist the pilot by recognizing when the tasks should be started, configuring the cockpit for the tasks, alerting the pilot to potential errors, making recommendations on how to complete tasks, and automating tasks in certain cases. The TSS was evaluated in a simulation experiment as part of a prototype avionics system. Results of the experiment indicate that the TSS is effective in improving pilot performance and also was well liked by the pilots who tested it