Neuroscience at the service of more reliable systems: 10 years of progress in neuroergonomics at ISAE-SUPAERO, supported by AXA.

• The AXA - ISAE-SUPAERO Chair, created and directed by Prof. Frédéric Dehais, is celebrating 10 years of research in neuroergonomics for aviation safety, marking a major breakthrough in understanding the effects of stress on the brains of pilots.
• Prof. Dehais' work has led to significant evolutions in pilot support, particularly with the development of a revolutionary brain-computer interface technology and paves the way for promising applications in clinical medicine.

The 10th anniversary of the AXA - ISAE-SUPAERO Chair Neuroergonomics for Aviation Safety created and directed by Professor Frédéric Dehais, was recently celebrated. This chair, born from the collaboration between the AXA Research Fund, ISAE-SUPAERO and its foundation, marks a major advance in understanding the effects of stress on the brains of pilots, a crucial issue to guarantee flight safety.

Since its creation, the AXA – ISAE-SUPAERO Chair has integrated the most advanced techniques of neuroscience, mobile brain imaging and artificial intelligence, to explore the functioning of the brain at work, both in the laboratory and in real flight conditions.

Significant progress in support for pilots

The research has made it possible to decipher critical phenomena such as persistence in human error or deafness to auditory alarms.  This work allows researchers to make concrete recommendations to optimize pilot training or the development of new types of alerts to capture their attention in critical situations.

 Efforts are currently focused on a revolutionary technology: the brain-computer interface (CMI). This innovation aims to strengthen the symbiosis between humans and an intelligent cockpit capable of monitoring the pilot's cognitive state. This system adapts the cockpit displays in real time or takes over certain tasks to lighten the pilot's mental load. In addition, these technologies can allow pilots to interact directly with the dashboard through their brainwaves, paving the way for more intuitive and efficient driving.

This work has positioned Professor Frédéric Dehais' team among the world leaders in aviation safety research, promoting multiple interventions and training with the main safety institutions and industrial partners.

Real-world applications beyond aviation

These advances in brain-computer interfaces and the use of mobile sensors open significant prospects for clinical applications. A major innovation under development is the concept of the cockpit bed, a device capable of monitoring the condition of patients in real time.

Research is currently being carried out in collaboration with Prof. Stein Silva, intensive care physician at the Purpan University Hospital in Toulouse. The objective is to better understand coma states, their evolution and to offer new means of communication. Innovative tools to improve the diagnosis, interaction and monitoring of patients in critical situations are paving the way for more connected and personalized medicine.