Objective: We aimed to characterize the impact of startle and surprise, both independently and in combination, on subjective feelings, behavior (task performance and gaze behavior), and several physiological parameters. Background: The effects of startle and surprise are known to affect pilots’ cognitive performance, with potential impact on safety. Startle and surprise can occur either together or independently, yet no studies have experimentally distinguished their specific effects. Method: Participants ( n = 45) were each assigned to one of the three conditions while performing the MATB-II task. In the startle condition, participants were subjected to an expected loud sound. In the surprise condition, an unexpected reverse video effect was applied to the experimental interface. In the combination condition, participants were exposed to both stimuli simultaneously. Results: Surprise was associated with an increase in skin conductance without affecting performance. In contrast, startle was marked by a decline in performance on the communication sub-task, increased skin conductance and heart rate, and a narrowing of attention. When startle and surprise were combined, the results mirrored those of startle alone but included a stronger feeling of startle and surprise, and a more prolonged heart rate increase. Conclusion: Startle and surprise combined yielded more numerous significant effects on subjective, behavioral, and physiological measures than startle and surprise independently. Application: Identifying the specific impacts of startle and surprise could pave the way for their automatic detection using artificial intelligence. Safety could be enhanced through the design of specific countermeasures to help the crew cope with such states.

Spat-scene is a graphical user interface and spatial sound processor embedded in computer-aided composition software. It combines the interface and the rendering engine of Ircam Spatialisateur with a compositional and temporal control of spatial scene descriptors. Previous studies of the composition process as well as interviews with composers emphasized the needs for tools integrated within compositional environments allowing for interactive input, visualization and manipulation of spatio-temporal data in spatial scene descriptions. The spat-scene interface addresses such requirements by providing a timeline view synchronized with the spatial view of the Spatialisateur, three-dimensional editors as well as several internal and external rendering possibilities, all in a unified framework. spat-scene is implemented in the OpenMusic visual programming language, and so can be articulated with other musical structures and compositional processes. Through the case study of sound spatialization, this work tackles the challenge of authoring real-time processes in a compositional context.

This paper discusses SESAR’s Auto-Steer Taxi at Airport (ASTAIR) project, which seeks to advance airport ground operations including engine-off taxiing to move towards sustainable airports. The ASTAIR concept integrates human–AI teaming to optimize aircraft movement from gates to runways, with the primary objectives of improving predictability, efficiency, and environmental sustainability at large airports. Building on previous initiatives such as SESAR’s AEON, ASTAIR brings high-level automation to tasks like autonomous taxiing and vehicle routing. The system assists operators by calculating conflict-free routes for vehicles and dynamically adjusting operations based on real-time data. Based on workshops with several stakeholders, we describe the operational challenges involved in implementing ASTAIR, including managing parking stand availability and adapting to unforeseen events. A significant challenge highlighted is the human–automation partnership, where AI plays a supportive role but humans retain control over critical decisions, particularly in cases of system failure. The need for clear and consistent collaboration between AI and human operators is emphasized to ensure safety, efficiency, and improved compliance with take-off schedules, which in turn facilitates in-flight optimization.