As a slight aside, it seems to me that autonomous aircraft would mean that less aircraft would end up airborne with emergencies, and aircraft could safely get airborne heavier off shorter runways....
V1 was invented to deal with human failings.
Recognising that humans need thinking time, and have trouble making the correct decision under extreme time pressure and multiple inputs, V1 is a very good idea for humans.
It is binary system designed around a best guess set of circumstances with flex built in for reaction time after history showed that humans kept making the wrong decision.
A computer could simultaneously assimilate enough information about A/C energy levels, actual position on the runway, engine thrust, engine health, A/C acceleration etc to make a tailored decision about each circumstance including making the decision to not get airborne despite insufficient stopping distance available.
Can anybody think of a reason why V1 would have to be retained?
Last edited by Tourist; 21st Jan 2016 at 05:57.