Learn about what IO-Aero is working on, and what we are learning along the way.
Auto GCAS Was Just the Beginning
A Historic Milestone
In the summer of 2019, the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) awarded the Collier Trophy, the most prestigious award in aeronautics, to a software system.
The recipient, the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS), had already saved 10 U.S. Air Force (USAF) pilots by autonomously redirecting their F-16 aircraft away from rapidly approaching terrain that would otherwise have resulted in fatal accidents.
Auto GCAS, had already saved 10 U.S. Air Force (USAF) pilots by autonomously redirecting their F-16 aircraft away from rapidly approaching terrain that would otherwise have resulted in fatal accidents.
Aviation's Entry into the Age of Autonomy
The press release accompanying that year's award stated that Auto GCAS had "marked aviation's entry into the age of autonomy."
It was a significant achievement and a clear demonstration that autonomous systems can save lives. Yet despite that milestone, a clear path for developing and certifying increasingly autonomous systems does not exist outside of military aviation.
The Challenge Ahead
If there is any hope of reducing the more than 300 fatalities among U.S. small-aircraft pilots each year, enabling unmanned vehicles to operate safely in the national airspace, or making autonomous air travel a reality for personal transportation, a fundamental shift in how autonomous systems are developed and certified will be required.
The technology exists. The challenge is creating a framework that allows these systems to be developed, validated, and deployed more broadly.
The technology exists. The challenge is creating a framework that allows these systems to be developed, validated, and deployed more broadly.
A More Collaborative Future
Achieving that transformation will require greater collaboration among designers, regulators, and aviation enthusiasts.
It will also require reducing the proprietary barriers that limit access to designs, code, and verification processes. Progress in autonomous aviation cannot be accelerated if the underlying knowledge and validation methods remain inaccessible to the broader community.
The Mission of IO-Aero
At IO Aeronautical Autonomy Labs (IO-Aero), facilitating that collaboration is a core part of our mission.
We believe the future of autonomous aviation depends not only on technological advancement, but on creating a more open and collaborative foundation for innovation.
Let’s get on comms
It all starts with a conversation. Whether you are a pilot, a government and defense representative, looking for a technology partner or an investor. Our comms are open.
