A robotic pilot has successfully completed its first flight.
Conducted by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Center for Rapid Innovation (CRI) and DZYNE Technologies Incorporated, the two-hour flight of the Robotic Pilot Unmanned Conversion Program called ROBOpilot was launched Aug. 9, 2019, at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah.
“Imagine being able to rapidly and affordably convert a general aviation aircraft, like a Cessna or Piper, into an unmanned aerial vehicle, having it fly a mission autonomously, and then returning it back to its original manned configuration,” said Dr. Alok Das, CRI’s Senior Scientist. “All of this is achieved without making permanent modifications to the aircraft.”
ROBOpilot interacts with an aircraft the same way as a human pilot, according to officials.
For example, the system “grabs” the yoke, pushes on the rudders and brakes, controls the throttle, flips the appropriate switches, and reads the dashboard gauges the same way a pilot does, officials explain.
At the same time, the robot uses sensors, like GPS and an Inertial Measurement Unit, for situational awareness and information gathering. A computer analyzes these details to make decisions on how to best control the flight.
ROBOpilot also boasts a simple installation process, according to officials. Users remove the pilot’s seat and install a frame in its place, which contains all the equipment necessary to control the aircraft, including actuators, electronics, cameras, power systems, and a robotic arm.
“ROBOpilot offers the benefits of unmanned operations without the complexity and upfront cost associated with the development of new unmanned vehicles,” Das said.
During the past year, AFRL and DZYNE designed, built, and tested ROBOpilot. Engineers demonstrated the initial concept in a RedBird FMX simulator, a full motion advanced aviation training device. ROBOpilot successfully completed simulated autonomous takeoffs, mission navigation and landings in the FAA-certified trainer.
See a video of the first flight below:
Firstly , Nice job on building a robopilot flying Machine testbed and Making it work in this configuration. However to many it feels like a Perfectly good airplane turned into a drone . I feel bad for the Aircraft and any human pilot that would have gotten a chance to fly it . If there’s any room Mabye a pilot can monitor like self piloted cars . This application is better for military use not to take the already limited supply of aging Cessna and piper aircraft that are the only main affordable option to most all private pilots. As stated the UAV controls like a human but there are many unaccounted for decision making skills that cannot be replicated . How will it handle those , ATC , un expected weather including etc.?
“ROBOpilot interacts with an aircraft the same way as a human pilot, according to officials.”So, what’s the point?
Yeah right. Pigs can fly too.
When working for DOD, I was involved in a robotics program to automate Russian tanks. There was no way to instrument them to “act” like a tank driver. Please, keep these away from my airport.
WOW, it looks like a lot more than, ‘remove the pilot seat’…. the right seat is gone and it looks like most of what would be the back seat is taken up with the actuators…
My initial reaction is…who would want to convert a GA aircraft to fly autonomously ?
If the ultimate goal is to automate an F16, F15, FA18…. Then it may make sense…?