Robotic Co-Pilot Flies and Lands a Simulated Boeing 737

[underfire]

Demonstrated on a Boeing 737-800NG simulator at the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Aurora's Robotic Copilot showcased its ability to utilize the existing 737 auto-landing system to autonomously land the aircraft safely in the event of pilot incapacitation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om18cOWFL3Q

[andmiz]

Yes, but will they laugh at my jokes and buy the second round?

[Basil]

I have to ask: Why not just build aeroplane hardware and software capable of doing all that?

andmiz, yes, that too, and will its fiancée give ol' skip a flash through the glass as he walks back to the restaurant? (Actually happened - they were all taking bets on how long it would take me to notice :E)

[DaveReidUK]

At least this time around it doesn't have an inflated opinion of its own capabilties.

http://blogs.airspacemag.com/view/files/2012/08/Airplane-autopilot.jpg

[Atlas Shrugged]

Seems very slow, even at 4x speed.

[jolihokistix]

Wow, no need to look ahead at the simulated runway!

[FE Hoppy]

Pointless demonstration of mechanical robotics.
Datalink from the ground is the obvious solution given that it's in use every day.

[iggy]

How much did the robot pay to have the right seat?

[NutLoose]

Call me dumb but why, Isn't that what an autopilot and autoland does, surely a simplified system could be produced to do it all electronically.

[MathFox]

Call me dumb but why, Isn't that what an autopilot and autoland does, surely a simplified system could be produced to do it all electronically.
I am fairly sure you are right about that. It is not that hard to make some automation that can fly and land a plane that is in good condition in good conditions, but those systems generally drop the ball when either the plane starts developing "unserviceabilities" or exterior conditions worsen.

[iggy]

Call me dumb but why, Isn't that what an autopilot and autoland does, surely a simplified system could be produced to do it all electronically.

Betcha that's what floated in everyone's heads at Asiana's office after the show off in Sanfran. :ouch:

[One Outsider]

Any Joe walking in from the street can demonstrate the use of the auto-landing system.Congratulations on making the insignificant appear significant.

[Piltdown Man]

And what has been proved here? How did the aircraft taxi to the gate? How did the aircraft miss the seagulls on the approach? And obviously the controlling software would deal with any engine failure enroute. Were the board of the sponsoring organisation in the aircraft when the deed was done?

When will the muppets and numpties who believe that we can be replaced by an autoland and make us redundant actually look at what we do to justify out pay?

Gosh!

[One Outsider]

I think that was what I just said.

[Dan_Brown]

Aren't airline pilots robots already, considering the strict adherence to sop's etc. they certainly aren't allowed to think "outside the box" are they? not a big step to replace the human robot with an electronic robot IMHO.

The operators would love them, as no salariers, hotel etc., etc.:}

[General_Kirby]

That is the most ridiculously pointless thing I've ever seen. Can it come over and do my ironing please?

[parabellum]

Nice try Dan Brown but no cigar, yes, I looked at the bait. Now go to the archives and read umpteen threads on the subject of pilotless aircraft! :)

[Acrosport II]

Maybe the point of it is, to land the aircraft in case of both pilot incapacitation, (loss of pressurization), as happened to the Greek B737.

Now they just have to design another robot to drag it out of the forward galley cupboard, and bolt it into position, so it can automatically land the aircraft in case of all pilot incapacitation.

Hope it's programmed to say, 'Nice landing Captain, Ill take the __ one!

Thank god I've retired.

[Captain Dart]

As someone who picks his way thru the ITCZ 6 times a month, I will be in the cold, cold ground before any robot can do that without making the newspapers or the internet.

In all the articles I read about automated aircraft, the highly subjective human skill of convective weather avoidance, by visual means and by interpreting a radar display, rarely gets a mention.

[thetimesreader84]

As someone who picks his way thru the ITCZ 6 times a month, I will be in the cold, cold ground before any robot can do that...

I completely agree. But what you have there, is an easy way to make nearly every aircraft in the western world single pilot.

Humans will invent vent their way out of existence if you ask me...

[Captain Dart]

Yep, I see that coming. But that pilot will have to stay awake all night, and the pax will have to be willing to pay money to board such an aircraft.

Most of us will be a long time gone.