Honeywell Aerospace has started testing voice recognition inside aircraft cockpits, using a recently developed rapid prototyping system that allows emerging technologies like voice recognition control to more easily integrate into flight decks. The Honeywell Innovative Prototyping Environment (HIPE) lets pilots operate a traditional multipurpose control display unit from a tablet interface to incorporate new concepts.
Honeywell is currently using HIPE to flight test voice recognition on an Embraer ERJ170 aircraft, and is working with pilots and customers to assess its usability, safety and efficiency in real airborne scenarios.
Voice recognition can be especially helpful in the cockpit when calling up infrequently used commands or menus, for which the crew might otherwise spend significant time searching.