Tactile Situational Awareness System (TSAS) Navy SBIR FY2007.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2007.1 Topic No.: N07-043 Topic Title: Tactile Situational Awareness System (TSAS) Proposal No.: N071-043-0044 Firm: Engineering Acoustics, Inc. 933 Lewis Dr., Suite C Winter Park, Florida 32789 Contact: Gar Zets Phone: (407) 645-5444 Web Site: www.eaiinfo.com Abstract: Spatial disorientation (SD) and the subsequent loss of situation awareness account for a significant percentage of fatal mishaps in aviation. SD typically occurs when visual references are compromised, and the pilot's vestibular and somatosensory (tactile) sensations no longer provide accurate gravity vector information due to changing acceleration and gravitational forces. Under these conditions, a pilot must rely on instrumentation to fly the aircraft, often with information that appears to be contrary to what their body is sensing. The objective of this proposed SBIR effort is to develop a new generation tactile sensory display to enhance pilot special awareness in all phases of flight. This Tactile Situational Awareness System (TSAS) will comprise of a processor integrated with current aircraft sensors, and a garment housing a number of vibrotactile transducers (Tactors). EAI proposes various approached to reducing the size and improving the performance of current generation tactors, so that they can produce a strong vibratory stimuli with amplitude control across a wide frequency range. EAI will also address the overall system design and integration, including controller, processor and software mapping for the TSAS process. Benefits: The TSAS system promises to revolutionize aircraft display systems and improve pilot situational awareness in all types of aircraft. Improvements to the tactile transducer (tactor) hardware, controllers, processors and software will greatly assist the implementation and adoption of TSAS. The system will have wide application in all military, commercial, and general aviation aircraft, and provide a pathway to improvements in flight safety, mission effectiveness, and an overall cost saving. Derivatives of the TSAS system can be deployed as guidance/cueing systems for ground troops, and have a variety of commercial applications. Return