Artificial Intelligence is already in use on the ground, airlines and airports are working on machine learning to avoid delays. Companies like Emirates or Easyjet are using the technology to re-invent the ticketing process (Adams, 2017). KLM recently joined the Whatsapp business platform that instantly answers customer questions around the world in 10 different languages (Garcia, 2017). The use of AI on the ground should be improving operations, logistics and customer experience but the most promising part of AI may be on the aircraft itself.
A few projects already started, such as Boeing’s Aerospace Data Analytics Lab, created to collect & analyze a massive amount of data obtained through their aircraft sensors. All data related to safety, maintenance, and in-flight performance can be better tracked and understood (Adams, 2017). The main goal in tracking these data is to develop operational strategies that would limit downtime and find the most optimal configuration for fuel efficient cruising. Fuel consumption is affected by many parameters including cruising speed, temperature, wind speed, or altitude and AI could help in finding the right combination in relation to all these parameters.
But Artificial intelligence could be very helpful in the most complicated part of an airplane: the cockpit. Autopilot technology is already doing most of the work after the take off and has no trouble landing a large aircraft even in rainy & windy weather and limited visibility. It uses the pilot’s input to adjust and maintain the airplane’s heading, altitude, and speed (Stewart, 2017) and was first introduced decades ago. AI could just take autopilot to the next level. Boeing planned to test autonomous flying technology (from take-off to landing) in a cockpit simulator this year and in an airplane in 2018 (Bushey, 2017). A robot, with the help of AI could back up the pilot by depressing the pedals and taking control in emergency situations (Bushey, 2017).
The biggest challenges are more likely to be societal than technological. The question is would passengers trust Artificial intelligence and robots in case of exceptional situations: hurricane, thunderstorm, heavy rain. Another main concern is job automation. According to UBS, pilotless planes could save the aerospace and aviation industry $35B per year (Gibbs, 2017).
Would you feel safe in a pilotless aircraft? Would you think that killing one of the most wanted job is a good solution?
Paul Artigue
References
Adams, E. (2017, March 28) AI wields the power to make flying safer – and maybe even pleasant, Retrieved from Wired: https://www.wired.com/2017/03/ai-wields-power-make-flying-safer-maybe-even-pleasant/
Bushey, C. (2017, October 20) Boeing bets on pilotless planes, Retrieved from Chicago Business: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171020/ISSUE01/171029977/boeing-bets-on-pilotless-planes
Garcia, M. (2017, September 5) KLM claims airline first with WhatsApp Business Platform, Retrieved from tnooz: https://www.tnooz.com/article/klm-adds-whatsapp-platform/
Gibbs, A. (2017, August 7) Pilotless planes could save airlines $35 billion, UBS says, Retrieved from CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/07/pilotless-planes-could-save-airline-industry-billions-of-us-dollars-ubs-note.html
Stewart, J. (2017, September 6) Don’t freak over Boeing’s self-flying plane – robots already run the skies, Retrieved from Wired: https://www.wired.com/story/boeing-autonomous-plane-autopilot/
