Testing took place at Leonardo’s PZL-Świdnik facility using Leonardo’s SW-4 and SW-4 Solo RUAS/OPH helicopters.
Daedalean, a Swiss developer of artificial intelligence systems for situational awareness and flight control, has announced the completion of flight testing of its visual awareness (AI) system by Leonardo. Testing took place in Poland at Leonardo’s PZL-Świdnik facility using Leonardo’s SW-4 and SW-4 Solo RUAS/OPH helicopters.
“Leonardo is working towards prudently integrating AI in its products and services through both in-house developments and co-operations. By collaborating with emerging companies on predefined use cases, we keep maturing our technology roadmaps towards a safer, affordable and sustainable flight experience,” said Mattia Cavanna, Head of Technology and Innovation at Leonardo Helicopters. “Improving situational awareness through systems like Daedalean’s could contribute to further prevent aviation accidents and progressively enable higher degrees of autonomy to our platform.”
Daedalean provides what the company calls “situational intelligence” – the ability to understand and make sense of the current environment and situation, and also anticipate and react to potential threats. Its visual awareness system employs a form of artificial intelligence called machine learning, which leverages recent increases in computer power to do more quickly and effectively what before could only be done by people.
“Daedalean is proud to bring our experience creating machine-learned algorithms for aviation to such a prominent player in the world of aviation,” said Daedalean’s founder and CEO, Dr Luuk van Dijk. “It shows there is growing interest in and understanding of the benefits machine learning can bring today to increase flight safety. We published multiple studies with regulators to evidence the fact that our machine-learned algorithms are capable of providing functions meeting and exceeding human capabilities,” Dr van Dijk stated. “As aviators and passengers become more familiar with AI-enabled systems, a future with autonomous flight becomes more attractive for the higher safety, lower cost, and increased capacity it will deliver.”
