NASA Intelligent Checklists
In this project, a prototype electronic checklist system was developed and new technology to provide display systems
for the astronauts. It is intended that such a system will soon supplant paper based procedure manuals. The electronic
system incorporates various features including: Human Factors based display design, a wearable computer system with
arm-worn or head mounted display systems, telemetry from other systems and internal logic that works with the
Extended Caution and Warning system that already exists for managing NASA emergency medical procedures. For a
sample procedure to demonstrate, an emergency medical procedure for dealing with a heart attack on orbit was selected.
The current validated and approved procedure was reviewed and created in the electronic checklist format. Multimedia
content including text, images and video files were added to the existing procedure. Further, telemetry from electronic
medical devices was added to assist in procedure completion. Initial tests and demonstrations of this system resulted
in favorable reviews and showed that the system could be used during practice medical procedures.
Based on the feedback we have received on this project, we plan to further improve this interface. The development will
occur on several fronts: advances on the interface, more procedures and higher-level procedures, a testing program with
users and finally administrative issues to ensure fault-free procedures.
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As part of the design process, Sapien team members visited NASA/JSC to evaluate the work
environment of Astronauts. Not only was this essential in the development process, but it was a whole lot of fun too!
Standing in the airlock of the station trainer, clockwise starting from top: Astronaut Dr. Nicholas Patrick, Sapien team
members Jessica Baldis, Sisinio Baldis, and Dr. Erik Viirre.
Sapien's Jessica Baldis seated at the helm of one of the shuttle trainers. She is pointing to one of the current paper
based procedure manuals.
Standing in front of one of the shuttle trainers, from left to right are: Dr. Thomas Furness from the Human Interface
Technology Lab at the University of Washington, Sapien's Dr. Erik Viirre, and Astronaut Dr. Nicholas Patrick.
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