![Autonomous Flight Technology](https://dronelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/NASA-Sikorsky-300x200.jpeg)
NASA pilots together with Sikorsky safety pilots flying Sikorsky’s Black Hawk Optionally Piloted Vehicle, left, and SARA S-76B over Long Island Sound Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023.
image: NASA/Steve Freeman
Revolutionizing Urban Air Mobility: NASA, Sikorsky, and DARPA’s Leap into Autonomous Flight Technology
by DRONELIFE Contributing Editor Paul Rossi
NASA’s relentless pursuit of technological innovation has reached a brand new milestone with its recent collaboration with Sikorsky and DARPA. This joint effort is pioneering autonomy software that guarantees to significantly enhance the protection and reliability of air taxi flights. At AUVSI Xponential 2024, I had the pleasure of speaking with Scott Howe, a distinguished NASA test pilot, to delve deeper into this groundbreaking project.
Pioneering Autonomy Software: Core Functionalities and Impact
Scott explained that NASA developed specific autonomy software tailored for Sikorsky helicopters, which focuses on two crucial functionalities: Long Range Flight Path Management and Hazard Perception Avoidance. “The software manages long-range flight paths to strategically deconflict flight routes, ensuring safety and efficiency,” Howe noted. “Furthermore, it provides a 360-degree awareness across the vehicle, detecting and avoiding immediate hazards, which is pivotal in ensuring operational safety.”
The implementation of such advanced software in Sikorsky helicopters marks a major advancement in autonomous flight technology. This is very crucial as urban air mobility continues to evolve, where the complexity of navigating densely populated environments poses quite a few challenges.
Enhancing Safety in Urban Air Mobility
The impact of NASA’s autonomy research extends far beyond just technological prowess; it significantly enhances the protection and reliability of future air taxi operations. “Urban environments will greatly profit from the info collected through these tests,” Howe emphasized. The software not only helps in managing intricate flight paths but additionally ensures that the air taxis can operate safely amidst the myriad of urban infrastructures.
Key Findings from the Autonomous Flights over Long Island Sound
During our discussion, Howe highlighted the important thing findings from the recent autonomous flights over the Long Island Sound. “These tests have proven that helicopters can function effective surrogates in collecting initial data sets, that are essential for advancing the event of electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles,” he stated. This data is crucial for refining flight models and operational protocols, setting the stage for more comprehensive future tests.
For enthusiasts and professionals following DroneLife.com, Howe shared a very important message concerning the ongoing research: “There’s an amazing excitement constructing around the long run of drones of all sizes. The mix of advanced technologies and evolving policies are fostering significant growth within the industry.” He urged readers to remain informed and excited concerning the upcoming developments, as they promise to revolutionize the best way we perceive and utilize drones in various sectors.
In conclusion, the collaboration between NASA, Sikorsky, and DARPA shouldn’t be nearly advancing autonomous flight technologies but can also be a major step towards safer, more efficient urban air mobility. As this project progresses, it’ll undoubtedly provide worthwhile insights and set recent standards for the long run of autonomous flying.
Read more:
![nine ten drones](https://dronelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Paul-Rossi.jpg)