Copilot (Shared Control)

Also known as: Gaming Copilot, Assistive Copilot

In shared-control video gaming, the copilot is the secondary actor who supports the pilot (the primary player, typically a person with a disability) by taking over game actions the pilot cannot perform. A copilot can be a human partner — often a family member, friend, or trained assistant — or a software agent under the 'partial automation' model. Copilot interventions include configuring hardware, navigating menus, directly controlling certain actions, signaling on-screen events, and suggesting strategies. The copilot's operational autonomy can range from pure actuator (executing step-by-step instructions) to fully autonomous play within rules negotiated with the pilot.