Bldg N262 - Human Performance Research Laboratory (Mountain View, California)

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Research at the Human Performance Research Laboratory focuses on human performance and automation in aerospace systems. Areas of study include human vision, audition, attention, motor control, fatigue, human factors maintenance, communication, team problem-solving, training, human workload, control theory, virtual reality, and virtual environments. Areas of development include: (1) computational models of human perceptual, cognitive, and decision systems; (2) perceptual optimization of visual displays and imaging systems; (3) three-dimensional auditory displays; (4) machine vision algorithms for autonomous vehicle control; (5) advanced human-centered IT; and (6) human factors expertise to address high-priority aerospace challenges.

Also in N-262 is NASA's FutureFlight Central (FFC), a national Air Traffic Control/Air Traffic Management (ATC/ATM) simulation facility dedicated to solving the present and emerging capacity problems of the nation's airports. The two-story facility offers a 360-degree full-scale, real-time simulation of an airport, where controllers, pilots and airport personnel interact to optimize expansion plans and operating procedures, and to evaluate new technologies. The physical structure of FFC is fully customizable so that any air traffic tower in the world can be realistically simulated. The facility has established a precedent for enabling stakeholders to achieve consensus through a common vision of the future. FFC can be linked to other high-fidelity simulators via a High Level Architecture and is locally connected to the Vertical Motion Simulator and the Crew-Vehicle Systems Research Facility.

In addition to simulating airports, FFC is configured to serve as a visualization tool. The 360-degree field of view can depict any scenario desired, be it UAS operations in the Middle East, the plains of Mars, or the deep sea canyons off the Monterey Coast. This powerful capability provides researchers with a fully-immersive experience that allows them to explore new concepts and procedures in their area of interest.