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Briefing October 2023

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers at KAIST developed "Pibot," a humanoid robot capable of autonomously piloting any aircraft by manipulating controls like a human, using AI to interpret instruments and possessing a vast memory for flight data.
  • Canada's initial ADS-B Out mandate took effect for Class A airspace, requiring transmitters capable of sending signals to both ground stations and satellites, with an expansion to Class B airspace planned for May 2024.
  • Delta Airlines prevented the bankruptcy of charter/fractional ownership company Wheels Up by acquiring a 95% stake through a $500 million investment, further integrating the services.
  • Advanced air mobility rivals Wisk Aero and Archer Aviation settled their legal disputes and pledged to collaborate, with Wisk becoming the exclusive provider of autonomy technology for Archer's future eVTOL designs.
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“Pibot” Can Fly Anything Say Researchers

Korean researchers say their humanoid “pibot” is an autonomous flight system that doesn’t require significant flight deck modifications. The team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) say the robot is installed in a regular seat and uses servo activated human-like appendages to manipulate controls like a flesh-and-blood pilot. Its two cameras mounted like human eyes scan the instruments and interpret their information with artificial intelligence. “Pibot is a humanoid robot that can fly an [airplane] just like a human pilot by manipulating all the single controls in the cockpit, which is designed for humans,” said David Shim, an associate professor of electrical engineering at KAIST. It also has prodigious memory and is able to store the full library of Jeppesen charts and the operating specs and manuals of virtually any aircraft.

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