EYE trackINg sysTEms foR incApaCity robusTness In aerONautics – EYE-INTERACTION

Although aviation is one of the safest means of transport, it appears that maximum safety and performance can only be achieved with human-machine system that perfectly fits with the human cognitive functioning. The EYE-INTERACTION project aims to advance the development of products that prevent cognitive incapacitation, a condition during which an individual's intellectual faculties are temporarily impaired, due, for example, to a significant psychological stress associated with the presence of a dangerous situation. In this perspective, the project builds on the results of the previous ANR ASTRID NEUROERGO, which identified physiological markers of incapacitation, notably based on the combination of functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (SPIRf) and heart rate measurements.
More specifically, this project plans to break three scientific and technical challenges: (1) by the development of standardized batteries of tasks and stressors to produce and detect individual sensitivity to cognitive incapacitation, (2) by the formalization of markers of cognitive incapacitation, mainly based on eye tracking (and secondarily on other physiological measurement devices), (3) by the development of an ocular replay tool providing debriefing support for pilot training and cockpit certification.
These three locks will be addressed in a first step of knowledge production by the academic partners (ENAC, INUC, ISAE), all three specialists in these subjects. In a second step, two companies (APSYS, Safetyn) and a defense partner (CEAM) will incorporate this knowledge and protocols into their own products (certification, training or eye tracking embedded in jet fighter). By supporting innovation and transfer, the project aims a high level of technological maturation (TRL 5). The deliverables of this project will also be submitted to Aerospace Valley and SATT of Toulouse, to further develop intellectual property.