In a groundbreaking achievement, researchers at NASA’s Langley Research Center have successfully conducted flights of multiple drones beyond visual line of sight, without the need for a visual observer or pilot. This significant milestone in autonomous flight marks a crucial step towards the development of self-flying air taxis. With the support of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and NASA, these tests demonstrate the culmination of years of research into automation and safety systems.
The recent test flights involved drones autonomously navigating around obstacles, interacting with other drones during takeoff, following a predetermined route, and safely landing without any human intervention. This achievement underscores the potential of self-flying technology and its ability to revolutionize air transportation. By eliminating the need for a pilot, self-flying air taxis could enhance safety, reduce costs, and provide efficient transportation solutions.
To observe how these self-flying vehicles can avoid obstacles and operate in complex airspace, NASA chose to test the technology on smaller drones rather than larger, passenger-carrying air taxis. This approach offers several benefits, including reduced risk and costs. By first perfecting the automation technologies on smaller drones, NASA can ensure that these vehicles can handle the high volume of air traffic expected in future vertiports, which are designated takeoff and landing areas for air taxis.
NASA is not only experimenting with drone technology but also actively testing automation elements using helicopters. These helicopters serve as stand-in aircraft to help NASA assess the autonomy of self-flying systems before they are deployed in air taxis. By thoroughly evaluating the performance of automation technologies in busy airspace scenarios, NASA seeks to guarantee the safe operation of these vehicles in future urban environments.
The recent flight tests incorporated ALTA 8 Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, popularly known as drones. These small unmanned aerial vehicles were equipped with advanced software capable of handling airspace communications, managing flight paths, avoiding collisions with other vehicles, and executing various necessary skills for safe operation in busy airspace. These tests are crucial for the development of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), where air taxis and drones will share the skies on a regular basis.
NASA, true to its mission of promoting technological advancements, plans to transfer the new technologies developed during this project to industry manufacturers. By making the software accessible to vehicle designers, NASA aims to foster innovation and accelerate the adoption of self-flying capabilities in the industry. This collaborative approach will significantly benefit the industry as a whole and pave the way for widespread implementation of self-flying air taxis.
Two significant technologies featured in the flight tests include ICAROURS (NASA’s Integrated Configurable Architecture for Reliable Operations of Unmanned Systems) and Safe2Ditch. ICAROURS provided an autonomous detect-and-avoid function, enabling the drones to maintain a safe distance from other air traffic. Safe2Ditch, on the other hand, facilitated autonomous decision-making in emergency situations, allowing the vehicle to identify the safest landing spot in the event of an in-flight emergency.
The flight tests conducted by NASA are part of a broader mission focused on Advanced Air Mobility. This project, known as the High Density Vertiplex, specifically aims to evaluate and test the feasibility of frequently used vertiports for the takeoff and landing of air taxis. By exploring the necessary technology advancements for vertiports located in close proximity to each other, NASA continues to contribute to the development of a robust infrastructure for future self-flying air taxis.
NASA’s recent achievement in successfully flying drones beyond visual line of sight represents a significant step towards advancing self-flying capabilities. By demonstrating the feasibility of autonomous flight, NASA’s research teams are pushing the boundaries of aviation technology and safety systems. Through technology transfer initiatives, NASA is actively encouraging collaboration with industry manufacturers to expedite the adoption of self-flying technology. With continued progress and innovation, the era of self-flying air taxis may soon become a reality, revolutionizing the way we travel in urban environments.
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