Leonardo Tests AI-Enabled Visual Awareness System for Rotorcraft

The manufacturer collaborates with artificial intelligence provider Daedalean on a yearlong trial using its SW4 and SW4 Solo RUAS/OPH helicopters.

Jack Daleo

Monday, February 26, 2024 at 04:16 PM ET

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Test pilots walk toward a Leonardo SW4 helicopter equipped with Daedalean’s visual air traffic detection system. [Courtesy: Daedalean]

Key Takeaways:

Leonardo and Daedalean successfully completed flight tests of Daedalean's AI-enabled visual awareness system, PilotEye, on Leonardo rotorcraft for advanced navigation.
The PilotEye system aims to significantly enhance situational awareness and safety by detecting all types of aerial traffic, aiding navigation in GPS-denied areas, and providing landing guidance.
Daedalean is actively pursuing certification for PilotEye with both the FAA and EASA, positioning it to be the first AI-based cockpit application certified for civil aviation.
This collaboration underscores Leonardo's strategy to integrate AI into its products for safer, more affordable, and sustainable flight, potentially enabling higher degrees of autonomy.

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Leonardo, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of rotorcraft, believes artificial intelligence (AI) could be a game-changer for civil aviation.

The Italian firm and Daedalean, a Swiss developer of AI systems for situational awareness and flight control, on Monday announced they completed a flight test campaign that evaluated AI capabilities for advanced navigation of rotorcraft.