Madrid -Airbus has efficiently examined a brand new simplified human-machine interface (HMI) together with superior autonomous options via a venture code-named Vertex. These applied sciences, developed by Airbus UpNext, are managed by a touchscreen pill and purpose to simplify mission preparation and administration, cut back helicopter pilot workload, and additional enhance security.
The Airbus Helicopters’ FlightLab flew absolutely automated from lift-off, taxi, takeoff, cruise, method after which touchdown throughout a one-hour check flight by following a predefined route. Throughout this flight, the pilot monitored the system which may detect unexpected obstacles and routinely recalculate a secure flight path. Each time essential the pilot can simply override the controls via the pill and resume the mission afterwards. The flight check interval ran from the twenty seventh of October via to the twenty second of November on the Airbus Helicopters’ facility in Marignane, France.
“This profitable demonstration of a totally autonomous flight from takeoff to touchdown is a superb step in the direction of the lowered pilot workload and simplified HMI that the Airbus City Air Mobility group intends to implement on CityAirbus NextGen. It may even have speedy purposes for helicopters in low degree flights near obstacles because of the data offered by the lidars* on board,” mentioned Michael Augello, CEO of Airbus UpNext.
Airbus Helicopters will proceed to mature the completely different applied sciences that comprise Vertex: imaginative and prescient primarily based sensors and algorithms for situational consciousness and impediment detection; fly-by-wire for enhanced auto-pilot; and a sophisticated human-machine-interface – within the type of a touchscreen and head worn show for inflight monitoring and management.