Safer aircrafts thanks to Artificial Intelligence

The University of Barcelona is developing E-PILOTS; a European project aimed at achieving greater flight safety. In addition to improving aircraft safety, it can reduce the number of crew members needed in the cockpit, thereby reducing one of the most common causes of accidents, human error.

According to EuroControl, the demand for flights is expected to increase in the next few years, leading to a shortage of pilots. Manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing are looking for solutions to this problem while they attempt to improve the safety of their airplanes.

How can Artificial Intelligence (AI) contribute to flight safety?

Firstly, AI can assist the pilot in decision-making. The E-PILOTS project uses smart applications to keep the pilot's workload as low as possible. A single system reunites all the roles of the actors responsible for making decisions during the flight, both control centres and the flight crew.

To this end, the project employs Machine Learning algorithms for the recognition of air spaces, maximum efficiency in landings and take-offs and maximum possible fuel savings. New technologies make it is possible to collect the movement patterns of the airplane in flight. Thanks to information analysis it is possible to counteract flight optimisation errors more effectively. For example, high fuel consumption can be prevented by avoiding inefficient aircraft manoeuvres.

At Air Institute we strive towards the development and integration of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence through collaboration between companies.