Airbus has successfully tested a new, simplified human-machine interface (HMI) through the Vertex project, in addition to advanced autonomous features. These Airbus UpNext-developed technologies, which are operated by a touchscreen tablet, are intended to further enhance safety by streamlining mission planning and management and lessening the workload of helicopter pilots.
Michael Augello, CEO of Airbus UpNext, said, “This successful demonstration of a fully autonomous flight from takeoff to landing is a great step towards the reduced pilot workload and simplified HMI that the Airbus Urban Air Mobility team intends to implement on CityAirbus NextGen. It could also have immediate applications for helicopters in low level flights close to obstacles thanks to the information provided by the lidars* on board.”