SkyTools and DigiStrips: from the technology to the European operational context

For four years, CENA has been developing DigiStrips (Cena'00), a prototype that offers human machine interaction solutions based on large flat, touch-input screen, animation, graphical design, feedback and gesture recognition. DigiStrips offers an alternative solution to the display screen and mouse-based interaction. The Eurocontrol Experimental Centre (EEC) in its neutral role to identify, promote and integrate, at the European level, innovative ideas from European ATC R&D institutes, has considered DigiStrips as being able to provide benefits for the controller working position. Assumptions were made that this technology, when embedded in an operational context could make the ATCO work more comfortable and safe. This paper describes how we carried out the design and the validation of an air traffic controller working position that uses this technology. The challenge of this project is to make an ecological interface that respects controllers' skills and know-how, while introducing new technologies-new at least in the ATC domain. First, we summarize the technology proposed by CENA. Then we present the operational context and the result of the demonstrations given to several hundreds of European controllers. We also describe the validation approach chosen for DigiStrips.