Autopilot helicopter developed: fewer accidents expected

No pilot is needed on board this device

Rotor Technologies is creating the world's first full-size autonomous helicopter for civilian use. It can fly autonomously without any human intervention. The aircraft can perform a wide range of tasks, from agriculture to entertainment, and is highly efficient and safe.

Rotor Technologies engineers have created the first full-size autonomous helicopter for civilian use, the R550X.

This revolutionary helicopter model. It is special because it is the first of its kind not intended for military or law enforcement use. It can perform various tasks such as crop spraying, cargo delivery, fire fighting, surveillance, inspection, mapping, surveying, exploration, reconnaissance, entertainment and much more. However, the R550X is not currently designed to carry people; rather, it is an experimental category of uncrewed aircraft.

The helicopter should become one of the safest and prevent many accidents using advanced sensors and artificial intelligence. It can operate in all weather conditions, day or night, and communicate with the ground or other aircraft using multiple data links. According to the company, these systems make helicopters more stable and easier to operate, eliminating the causes of more than 70 percent of helicopter accidents today.

Rotor Technologies says its software can prevent common causes of helicopter accidents such as as “inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological conditions (IIMC), vortex ring condition, mast collision, loss of control and controlled flight in terrain (CFIT).”

The helicopter can follow a pre-programmed flight plan or adapt to changing conditions and obstacles. It can also navigate using GPS, inertial navigation, and vision-based navigation.

It has multiple communication modes: it can use satellite, radio, or optical communications, depending on signal availability and reliability. It can also switch between different communication modes automatically or based on user preferences.

The R550X offers many benefits for a variety of industries. Some of the advantages are that it can reduce the cost and time of transportation and operation compared to conventional helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. It can also improve user productivity and profitability by completing more tasks and delivering more goods in less time.

According to Rotor, two production machines are currently under construction at the company's New Hampshire headquarters. The R550X is expected to be ready for service in 2024.