Direct Voice Input for Control of an Avionics Management System

This paper deals with the application of speech recognition in the helicopter cockpit environment. Direct Voice Input (DVI) avionics command systems, when employed properly, can reduce operator workload, enhance safety and improve situational awareness. A speaker-dependent connected speech recognition system has been developed at the National Research Council (NRC) and, in cooperation with the Canadian Marconi Company, integrated into an Avionics Management System (AMS). An operator interface was designed to allow manipulation of the communications functions of the AMS and was installed in the NRC Bell 412 helicopter. The system was evaluated during actual flight conditions by NRC and Canadian Forces pilots. Test scenarios included the use of a ground controller passing radio frequencies to the evaluation pilot who, while flying standard circuits, changed radio frequencies using the AMS either manually or by voice. The utility of DVI was also examined during a simulated operational mission. The average recognition accuracy of the system for pilots with a small amount of training on the use of DVI was 94.9%. Individual recognition scores varied from 88.4% to 99%. The system was determined to be valuable in improving safety and reducing workload in an eyes-out, high workload mission.