Assessment of Risks and Benefits of Context-Adaptive Augmented Reality for Aerodrome Control Towers

The technical evolution of augmented reality devices such as the Microsoft HoloLens opened up completely new opportunities to air traffic management, particularly within the aerodrome control environment. Augmented reality can support air traffic controllers (ATCOs) in collecting and processing all information needed for an efficient and orderly guidance of air traffic, thus providing safety benefits. Within the project `Adaptive Controller Support Components' (AdCoSCo) the German Aerospace Center (DLR) investigates this new approach and tries to maximize its advantages by combining augmented reality with a context-adaptive system design. Apart from other expected benefits this is thought to effectively improve human performance in terms of reduced workload and increased situation awareness. More specifically, operationally relevant information is presented to the ATCO exactly when it is needed. Within the present study a storyboard approach was applied to assess the benefits and risks of an adaptive system design. This method was applied for the first time on context-adaptive augmented reality in a tower simulator environment. Six aerodrome controllers passed through this storyboard assessment, giving ratings regarding several preselected criteria. As an outcome, this investigation confirms that the highest benefits were seen in terms of improved situation awareness. It also showed that the highest risks were related to over-trust and complacency. A detailed assessment of specific adaptations is also presented within this paper.