Touch Screen technologies have evolved to the point that several solutions are rugged enough to be introduced into the cockpit. Any selected solution has its particular pros and cons, and using current state-of-the-art technology will always result in a compromise. A Touch Screen interface allows a more intuitive operation, reducing workload for the pilot and co-pilot, and thus increasing safety. It is believed that multi-touch capabilities are beneficial in cockpit applications.
Looking to the future, research will be needed to develop the right solutions for haptic feedback mechanisms and to minimize the effects of fingerprint residue on the screen. The effects of the aircraft's dynamics on the usability of the Touch Screen will also need to be analyzed and will impact the definition of the Human Machine Interface (HMI).
This paper presents a display manufacturer's technological view on the applicability of Touch Screens in the aircraft cockpit.