At VivaTech, Europe’s premier technology event, Airbus (AIR.PA) unveiled a groundbreaking vehicle: an electric truck equipped with basic A350 airliner controls. This innovation aims to demonstrate how automated taxiing could enhance airport safety amidst increasing concerns over ground collisions involving jetliners.
The modified truck, developed in collaboration with Israeli electric vehicle manufacturer Ree Automotive (REE.O), can operate in two modes: traditional manual driving or automated control via aircraft systems. The vehicle is equipped with sensors that monitor warning lines and obstacles, while onboard computers manage navigation, acceleration, and braking.
Matthieu Gallas, head of automation research at Airbus UpNext—the company’s innovation lab—emphasized the complexity and critical nature of aviation use cases compared to the automotive industry. “Adapting existing market technology is insufficient for our needs,” Gallas stated.
Although Airbus refrains from directly linking the research to specific incidents, comparisons to notable accidents, such as the January collision in Tokyo between an A350 and a coast guard plane, are inevitable. This incident, along with recent collisions involving Virgin Atlantic and British Airways jets, and a JetBlue collision at Boston Logan, highlights the urgency of addressing ground safety.
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The automated vehicle showcased at VivaTech is part of Airbus’ three-year “Optimate” project. It aims to demonstrate how automation can safely navigate jets worth over $100 million through increasingly crowded airports. Low-speed ramp incidents, while rarely fatal, pose significant financial and operational challenges for airlines, airports, insurers, and passengers.
The research truck, which will undergo live airport testing, could pave the way for subsequent trials with an A350-1000 aircraft. Success in these tests could lead to changes in aircraft design, although certification of new systems remains a significant hurdle.
Despite advancements, pilots will continue to play a crucial role in operations. Airbus jets already incorporate automation to reduce pilot error, though current systems are not autonomous and operate predictably. The research vehicle features 3D-mapping LiDAR sensors, which may support higher levels of automation in the future. However, Airbus has no plans to introduce fully autonomous jetliners.
LiDAR technology is gaining attention following an incident where severe turbulence on a Singapore jet resulted in a fatality and multiple injuries. Since Boeing began LiDAR testing in 2018, experts hope this technology will enhance the detection of unstable air currents that traditional radar cannot track.
Overall, Airbus’ innovative truck at VivaTech underscores the potential of automated taxiing to improve airport safety and efficiency, marking a significant step forward in aviation technology.
Airbus Viva Technology 2024 Explained
At VivaTech, Europe’s premier technology event, Airbus (AIR.PA) unveiled a pioneering vehicle: an electric truck equipped with basic A350 airliner controls. This innovative project aims to enhance airport safety through automated taxiing, addressing growing concerns over ground collisions involving jetliners.
Developed in collaboration with Israeli electric vehicle manufacturer Ree Automotive (REE.O), the modified truck operates both manually and autonomously. Equipped with sensors and onboard computers, it navigates, accelerates, and brakes while monitoring warning lines and obstacles.
Matthieu Gallas, head of automation research at Airbus UpNext, highlighted the project’s complexity, noting that aviation’s critical use cases demand more than existing automotive technologies. The project, part of Airbus’ three-year “Optimate” initiative, could revolutionize how airports handle $100-million-plus jets in congested environments.
Recent incidents, such as the January collision in Tokyo and collisions involving Virgin Atlantic and JetBlue planes, underscore the need for improved ground safety. While the automated system aims to reduce such accidents, pilots will remain essential, with current Airbus jets using automation to limit errors without full autonomy.
The research truck features 3D-mapping LiDAR sensors, potentially paving the way for higher levels of automation. Airbus, however, has no plans to introduce fully autonomous jetliners, focusing instead on enhancing current safety measures.
