Honeywell has been selected by AIBOT to provide its Compact Fly-By-Wire (cFBW) system to support the company’s fully electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
Honeywell said the technology would “empower the next generation of aircraft avionics and create a sustainable transportation ecosystem for the future”.
Honeywell’s lightweight cFBW system, the size of a book, provides aircraft manufacturers like AIBOT greater flexibility in aircraft design.
The system enables the removal of conventional mechanical linkages controlling the effectors, streamlining maintenance procedures, and reducing costs throughout the entire lifecycle of an aircraft.
It also enables seamless remote operation of the aircraft, translating instructions from the aircraft’s operator into flight control commands on the aircraft.
AIBOT safe operations
The system’s envelope-limiting feature guarantees safe operations, making it particularly well-suited for stabilising uniquely designed unmanned vehicles and delivering a stable flying experience.
“Our Compact Fly-By-Wire system is a ready-now solution to advance the future of sustainable flight. It is derived from decades of expertise providing similar systems for commercial airliners,” said David Shilliday, vice president and general manager, Advanced Air Mobility, Honeywell Aerospace.
“The collaboration will enable AIBOT to realise its vision of creating a sustainable and efficient transportation ecosystem.”
The AIBOT aircraft is powered by eight electric motors and will accommodate up to six passengers and a pilot. With maximum takeoff weight of 7,000 pounds, the aircraft has a target maximum range of 250 miles and a top cruise speed of 250 mph.
In 2024, AIBOT will kick off the production of fully autonomous heavy unmanned aircraft for industries like cargo, agriculture, high-speed inspection, and medical deliveries. The inaugural flight will be in 2025. Full product delivery of each aircraft is expected by 2028.
“AIBOT is poised to revolutionise the urban air mobility market by utilising the latest in cutting-edge, safety-critical computing platforms, particularly those which bolster the high-performance processing needed for the next-gen algorithms we developed,” said Jerry Wang, executive chairman, AIBOT.
“Collaborating with Honeywell is a huge step forward for us and will help us power the most advanced software-driven aiEVTOL platform.”
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