Airbus is testing a new suite of automated technology that it says has the potential to improve flight safety and efficiency. The company’s automated technology, dubbed the DragonFly project, is said to include “automatic emergency guidance on the go, automatic landing and taxi assistance.”
The company is testing the new features using an A350-1000 aircraft at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, a test site for Airbus. The trials are being run by Airbus UpNext, a subsidiary of the aviation giant that validates the new technology before rolling it out to a wider fleet.
So, why was the project named DragonFly? Airbus says the technology they’ve developed aims to mimic an insect’s ability to recognize specific places. The aim is to use this capability to help an aircraft taxi autonomously prior to takeoff, deal with situations where crew members may be understaffed, and perform automatic takeoffs and landings.
“These tests are one of several steps in the methodical search for technologies that will further improve operations and increase safety,” said Isabelle Lacaze, head of Airbus UpNext DragonFly demonstrator. The systems are designed to identify features in the landscape that enable an aircraft to ‘see’ its surroundings and maneuver autonomously safely.”
During testing, Airbus’ experimental aircraft was able to recognize and respond to external conditions such as flight zones, specific terrains and weather. The aircraft created a new flight path and passed this information to air traffic control and other airport operators.
Airbus UpNext uses the data from these tests to “prepare next-generation computer vision-based algorithms to improve landing and taxi assistance.” This means that in the not-too-distant future you may find yourself in an aircraft with many more automated features than previous models.
The French company does not hesitate to announce its preparations for the future. Airbus has funded several electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) projects over the years, including Vahana and CityAirbus. The first is an egg-shaped single-pilot eVTOL demonstrator, while the second can carry 4 passengers and has a range of 60 miles. The company is also working with lidar startup Luminar to find applications for the laser sensor’s 3D mapping capabilities.
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