Airbus UpNext, a subsidiary of aerospace giant Airbus, has embarked on a groundbreaking project to bring autonomous capabilities to aircraft taxiing and pilot assistance. The initiative, dubbed “Optimate,” involves a three-year research program utilizing an electric truck equipped with advanced automation, computer vision, and machine learning technologies.
“We are delighted to unveil another innovative demonstrator that reflects our unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of aviation. Our ambition is to use the best technologies to make our aircraft even more aware of their operating conditions, analyzing it in as much detail as possible to become smart and reliable assistants to pilots, providing them with the optimal assistance,” according to Michael Augello, CEO of Airbus UpNext.
Optimate’s core objectives include the development of automatic taxiing systems that rely on precise position calculations and the exploration of quantum sensing to enhance navigation reliability. In addition, the project aims to create a collaborative map and virtual flight assistant to support pilots’ decision-making during critical phases of flight.
To minimize the environmental impact of testing, the project will employ an electric truck outfitted with a simulated A350 cockpit. This mobile testbed will incorporate cutting-edge technologies like LIDAR, external cameras, and inertia and GPS systems, all integrated with Satcom and 5G connectivity.
Augello further emphasized the potential of Optimate, stating, “We are confident that this project will contribute to safer and more efficient air travel.”
The culmination of the project will see the virtual assistant integrated into a fully automated gate-to-gate mission on an A350 flight test aircraft. If successful, this technology could revolutionize aircraft operations, making air travel even more efficient and autonomous. Airbus UpNext’s “Optimate” demonstrator represents a significant step towards the future of self-driving planes, a future that Airbus is actively shaping with innovative research and development.