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Embraer Moves Ahead Towards Autonomous eVTOL Flight: Project EASy

Embraer and Eve Evaluate Autonomous eVTOL Flight Technologies

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby

Aerospace company Embraer recently finished conducting a series of experimental flight operations with its new autonomous system technologies, designed to enable safe autonomous operations in urban environments. The flights were carried out in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in order to observe how the new technologies performed under real flight conditions.

Working with its subsidiary Eve UAM, LLC, as well as partners Daedalean, Iris Automation and Near Earth Autonomy, Embraer examined various scenarios for take-off, climb, cruise, approach and landing flight phases. Traditional piloted helicopters from Eve partner Helisul Aviação were deployed to collect data and evaluate the technologies in real-time as part of the Embraer Autonomous Systems project (“Project EASy”).

Starting with Crewed Operation: Moving Towards Autonomous eVTOL Flight

“This project allowed us to evaluate technologies in real-time and also collect lots of data that will later be used in simulations,” said Embraer Head of Autonomous Systems Julio Bolzani. “It is important to note that we are not going straight to fully autonomous operations. As Eve begins operations, pilots will be on board and will also benefit from the application of these technologies through a safer and simplified vehicle operation until we reach a fully certified autonomous flight system for Urban Air Mobility.”

The project is also related to Eve’s Concept of Operations (CONOPS), which was initiated last year with collaboration from partners and government entities for the conversion of acquired knowledge into working data and analysis framework in order to better inform the future of Urban Air Mobility.

“All information and data raised in this project, as well as the technical solutions under development, will set the path for fully autonomous flight of eVTOLs in the future,” said Eve co-CEO Andre Stein. “We are thrilled with all operational aspects exercised and data acquired in this project and its direct connection to our CONOPS. These are solid steps for safely introducing future autonomous operations and accelerating the affordability and growth of the UAM market.”

Read more about eVTOLs and passenger drones:

Ian attended Dominican University of California, where he received a BA in English in 2019. With a lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and a keen interest in technology, he is now contributing to DroneLife as a staff writer.

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EmbraerX and Pyka team up to accelerate the future of autonomous agriculture aeroplanes – sUAS News – The Business of Drones

EmbraerX, the disruptive innovation arm of Embraer, and Pyka, an Oakland-based startup working at the forefront of autonomous aviation, today announced a partnership to accelerate the future of autonomous aerial agriculture operations.

The collaboration is focused on technology, certification, operations, and future commercialization of Pyka’s Pelican, a 100% electric and autonomous fixed-wing agricultural aircraft.

By using agile experimentation processes, the companies will work together to accelerate the entry of Pyka’s best-in-class autonomous solutions into service in the precision agriculture sector.

EmbraerX is committed to exploring disruptive products and services that could revolutionize the business, including new market segments for Embraer’s agriculture aviation business.

“EmbraerX is a market accelerator committed to developing solutions that can transform the world and inspire our partners by approaching unprecedented ideas with creativity and grit,” said Daniel Moczydlower, head of EmbraerX.

“Pyka’s innovation and technology capacity is aligned with our strategy to accelerate the creation of innovative business models through partnerships that have the potential for exponential growth.”

Both companies will pursue opportunities to scale commercial services as autonomous aircraft operations in Brazil evolve in the coming years. Pyka’s Pelican is already flying for customers in Central America, aiming for a high level of productivity, cost-efficiency, safety and sustainability.

“We’re incredibly excited to team up with one of the world’s largest aerospace companies to enable our vision of bringing electric aircraft into everyday use,” said Michael Norcia, CEO and co-founder at Pyka.

“We’ve been laser-focused on certifying and delivering a compelling autonomous electric aircraft to serve customers. Now, we are working with an industry-leading aerospace partner in one of the largest agricultural markets in the world to help scale our electric aircraft business. We look forward to working with EmbraerX to further integrate autonomous electric aircraft into the agriculture industry and the broader economy.”

The partnership is backed by Embraer’s more than 50-year history in aircraft development, certification, manufacturing, commercialization and aftermarket services expertise.

About EmbraerX

EmbraerX is a market accelerator committed to developing solutions that transform life’s experiences. This Embraer S.A. disruptive innovation subsidiary is based on Florida’s Space Coast in Melbourne, integrated with the Company’s engineering team in Brazil, and dedicated to collaborating with global innovation communities.

The EmbraerX team of innovators, creators, thought-leaders, and designers combines human-centred design thinking with business-building and engineering expertise to tackle some of the biggest mobility problems facing humanity today. For more information, visit EmbraerX.com About Pyka Pyka is building the future of electric aviation. Pyka’s has developed the world’s first and only commercially certified 100% electric autonomous airplane.

Pyka’s aircraft have flown over 3,000 autonomous agricultural aviation missions – one of the most complex and difficult environments for any aircraft to navigate. Pyka’s proprietary technology includes autonomous flight control software, flight computers, high energy density batteries, high power density motor controllers, and certifiable carbon fiber composite airframes to enable 100% electric aircraft.

The company is headquartered in Oakland, CA.

To learn more, please visit www.flypyka.com