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NASA Pod Helps Self-Flying Aircraft ‘See’ Surroundings

The space agency’s AIRVUE project uses cameras and sensors to collect information on obstacles in the environment, compiling it into a massive database.

Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at 04:31 PM ET

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NASA’s AIRVUE pod uses cameras and sensors to collect data that can train autonomous aircraft to perceive obstacles. [Courtesy: NASA]

Key Takeaways:

NASA introduced AIRVUE, a specialized pod equipped with cameras and sensors, to collect real-world visual data on obstacles and weather for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft, aiming to train their autonomous computer vision systems.
The agency plans to compile and openly share this extensive dataset with AAM manufacturers to inspire innovation, combat data fragmentation, and develop reliable algorithms for autonomous flight, akin to datasets in self-driving cars.
Beyond AIRVUE, NASA actively supports the AAM industry by collaborating with companies like Joby and Archer on various challenges, including turbulence, noise, battery safety, and also contributes to drone regulation to ensure safe integration into national airspace.

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Advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft, including electric air taxis and drones, are beginning to hit the skies, and NASA has skin in the game.

The space agency on Monday introduced the Airborne Instrumentation for Real-world Video of Urban Environments, or AIRVUE—a specially designed pod that attaches to the bottom of a helicopter and can train AAM aircraft to “see” obstacles in their path. The technology is designed to hone computer vision systems for autonomous flight.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.