Case Study: Digitization of a User Interface : Investigating the use of a touch screen in Helicopter 14

A user interface should be intuitive to allow efficient and safe execution of tasks. Helicopter 14 (HKP 14) has operator consoles with an analog user interface, called Programmable Keys (PK), to control a Mission Management System (MMS). The idea of replacing the PK with touch technology has arisen. To understand operators’ working environment, this case study was conducted with inspiration from ethnography. The PK have been studied by reading system manuals and familiarizing with the MMS in Saab’s test rigs and in HKP 14. This study aims to investigate the opportunities and challenges with implementing a touch screen to replace the current PK. Interviews have been conducted with operators and one technician working with HKP 14. To highlight additional perspectives on usage of touch technology, interviews with employees at FMV and Saab were carried out. This study found both benefits and drawbacks with implementing a touch screen in the helicopter. The most common concern was that touch screens lack tactile feedback. This study exemplifies how physical support can be achieved on a touch screen and how a Graphical User Interface (GUI) can be designed with regards to this.
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