Assistive Detect and Avoid Technology in Urban Air Mobility Environments

Assistive DAA refers to the use of DAA technology in onboard-piloted aircraft to augment pilots' see-and-avoid abilities and thus enhance the safety and efficiency of visual flight operations. ADAA is anticipated to be safety-enhancing in airspace where traffic density is high or traditional air traffic services are limited, such as in future Urban Air Mobility (UAM) environments. UAM concepts under development by the FAA, NASA, and industry focus on moving people and cargo in urban and suburban areas using innovative technologies, operations, and aircraft, including electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Researchers at NASA, in collaboration with FAA researchers, have conducted a series of medium-fidelity, human-in-the-Ioop research simulations of potential future UAM operations. These simulations have included use of a NASA-developed ADAA research tool called DANTi. This paper reports on experience and observations made during testing of the DANTi ADAA capability in a simulation environment for UAM operations.