DUBAI AIRSHOW 2023: AIBOT to benefit from Honeywell’s advanced flight controls for its six-seater eVTOL aircraft
Honeywell has been selected by Californian startup AIBOT, to provide its Compact Fly-By-Wire (cFBW) system to support AIBOT’s eVTOL aircraft.
AIBOT was co-founded by Jerry Wang and RK Jia in 2022, and the team is building an aircraft which will be powered by eight electric motors and accommodate up to six passengers and a pilot.
With maximum take-off weight of 7,000 pounds, the aircraft has a target maximum range of 250 miles and a top cruise speed of 250 mph, making it suitable for short-haul use cases between cities and metropolitan areas across the globe.
Honeywell’s lightweight Compact Fly-By-Wire system, the size of a paperback book, will provide AIBOT with greater flexibility in aircraft design, without compromising power or safety.
The system enables the removal of conventional mechanical linkages controlling the effectors, streamlining maintenance procedures, and reducing costs throughout the entire lifecycle of an aircraft.
“Wang, who is also Executive Chairman at AIBOT, said: “AIBOT is poised to revolutionise the urban air mobility market by utilizing the latest in cutting-edge, safety-critical computing platforms, particularly those which bolster the high-performance processing needed for the next-gen algorithms we developed.
“Collaborating with Honeywell is a huge step forward for us and will help us power the most advanced software-driven aiEVTOL platform.”
Honeywell’s cFBW also enables seamless remote operation of the aircraft, translating instructions from the aircraft’s operator into flight control commands on the aircraft.
The system’s envelope-limiting feature guarantees safe operations, making it particularly well-suited for stabilizing uniquely designed unmanned vehicles and delivering a stable flying experience.
David Shilliday, vice president and general manager, Advanced Air Mobility, Honeywell Aerospace, said: “Our Compact Fly-By-Wire system is a ready-now solution to advance the future of sustainable flight. It is derived from decades of expertise providing similar systems for commercial airliners. The collaboration will enable AIBOT to realise its vision of creating a sustainable and efficient transportation ecosystem.”
In 2024, AIBOT will kick off the production of fully autonomous heavy unmanned aircraft for industries like cargo, agriculture, high-speed inspection, and medical deliveries.
This endeavour shares its system architecture with AIBOT’s manned aircraft, for which the inaugural flight will be in 2025. Full product delivery of each aircraft is expected by 2028.
eVTOL Insights’ Executive Editor Jason Pritchard spoke exclusively with AIBOT and Honeywell at this week’s Dubai Airshow following this announcement. Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for more insight on AIBOT’s plans for the future.
Picture caption: From L‑R: Ramey Jamil, Head of Aircraft Systems, AIBOT; Jerry Wang, Executive Chairman, AIBOT; Taylor Alberstadt, Senior Director, Global Sales & Account Management, Advanced Air Mobility, Honeywell Aerospace; Ryan Lees, President, EMEAI Commercial Aerospace, Honeywell Aerospace and John Clarkson, Chief Engineer, AIBOT.