In a bid to enhance air traffic control and make it more efficient, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) has been working on AI-based systems for automatic speech recognition and understanding. The technology has been licensed to EML Speech Technology GmbH in Heidelberg, which plans to offer it to the aviation industry.
DLR reports that the speech understanding system it developed can significantly reduce the workload of air traffic controllers, especially during times of skilled worker shortages and increasing traffic demand. Prof. Hartmut Helmke, a leading DLR scientist in this field, believes that this technology can play a crucial role in making flight control more efficient and environmentally friendly.
Through extensive testing at the DLR Institute of Flight Guidance, researchers have found that speech understanding systems can significantly decrease the number of manual inputs required by air traffic controllers. This improvement has been observed in various air traffic control environments and can lead to increased operational efficiency and fuel savings. The Institute of Flight Guidance highlights that this reduction in workload can enable more efficient traffic management, ultimately benefiting both controllers and the environment.
The development of this technology aligns with efforts in the aerospace industry to improve pilot assistance technologies and enhance air traffic control systems. The potential applications of this AI-based speech understanding system demonstrate how ongoing innovations in aviation are being used to meet the demands of the future.
EML Speech Technology GmbH is excited about taking over this technology from DLR under license as it aims to provide an innovative solution for air traffic control. By offering this technology, EML Speech Technology GmbH aims to provide a new level of efficiency and automation for air traffic control operations.
In conclusion, AI-based systems for automatic speech recognition and understanding have enormous potential for improving air traffic control operations. With its ability to reduce manual inputs required by controllers, increase operational efficiency and fuel savings, this technology is set to revolutionize flight control systems around the world.
