The H2020 project EFAICTS - Ergonomic impact and new Functions induced by Active Inceptor integration in CockpiTS aims to develop an innovative Cockpit control system with the integration of smart & Active Inceptors. Active Side Sticks Units (ASSU) can reduce cost, and when coupled to Fly-By-Wire systems, can provide intuitive tactile cueing in the cockpit — all resulting in increased situational awareness, safety and improved performance. Moreover, in dual pilot configurations, the capability to electronically link active sticks enables the coupling of the motions of the left-seat and right-seat controllers and opens a new mode of communication between the pilot and the co-pilot. ASSU can also provide, to both pilot and co-pilot, back driven feedbacks based on the aircraft’s/Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) actions, significantly improving the level of safety, making clear the control inputs of one pilot to the other and allowing prompt recovery actions. The project will develop optimised coupling functions and intuitive haptic functions for both Pilot/Copilot and Crew/Autopilot interactions and their validation through modelling and evaluations on a simulation bench.
This project has received funding from the Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 820884