The race to deploy autonomous, fixed-wing aircraft is accelerating, led by pilotless crop dusters and cargo delivery planes rather than urban air taxis. California-based start-up Pyka has secured US commercial authorization for its fully electric, autonomous crop sprayer, which flies lower than human pilots to reduce chemical drift.
Meanwhile, British firm Windracers is seeking permission for heavy-lift cargo services.While autopilot merely assists, fully autonomous systems handle entire flights via software algorithms. However, strict aviation safety standards have slowed deployment compared to self-driving cars.
Companies are currently divided over artificial intelligence; some leverage generative AI and cameras for communication and obstacle detection, while others strictly avoid AI to ease regulatory certification.
Supporters argue automation cuts costs and improves safety, but pilots' groups remain highly wary, calling the removal of human crews a serious gamble.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1l123mmrg7o
img: ID 160640227 | Crop Duster © Pix569 | Dreamstime.com