SwitzerlandTravel and aviation2026 – ongoing

Skyguide

Speech recognition and clearance understanding in a live shadow-mode trial

DLR reported 98% callsign recognition in Skyguide's live shadow-mode trial

In progressVendor case studyVendor ↗

Problem

Air traffic controllers issued spoken clearances whose contents could support updates to aircraft radar labels. Speech recognition needed to handle local terminology and aircraft callsigns.

Approach

DLR deployed a speech-recognition and understanding demonstrator at Skyguide on 19 February 2026. It processed live controller transmissions at a non-operational workstation. Surveillance data supplied current callsigns to improve recognition.

Results

98%callsign recognition rate reported by DLR for the shadow-mode prototypeVendor case study[1]

Takeaway

The trial tested recognition against operational traffic while keeping the prototype outside operational control systems. The callsign result did not establish accuracy for every clearance component.

Sources

Automatic Speech Recognition and Understanding Prototype Running Live at Skyguide Control Center in Dübendorf
SELF-MADE-ATC / DLR3 Mar 2026Vendor publication

Source summaries

[1]SELF-MADE-ATC / DLR3 Mar 2026

DLR described a live shadow-mode deployment at Skyguide and reported 98% callsign recognition. The trial was scheduled to continue through June 2026, with controller feedback to be collected.

Full details are in the original sources.

Added 1 Nov 2026 · Updated 1 Nov 2026