EasyJet has seen the potential of drones in helping the airline with aircraft inspection. It now takes an initiative to develop these flying robots as they are hopeful to launch their drones in early 2016.
Being programmed to assess EasyJet's aircrafts, Airbus A319 and A320, the drones shall undergo intensive testing through series of trials and comprehensive researches. Engineers and programmers from EasyJet, Coptercraft and Measurement Solutions companies as well as the experts from Bristol Robotics Laboratory are extensively modifying this existing technological breakthrough, eventually using it for aircraft inspections.
"Drone technology could be used extremely effectively to help us perform aircraft checks. Checks that would usually take more than a day could be performed in a couple of hours and potentially with greater accuracy," EasyJet's engineering head, Ian Davies, explained.
Head of aerial robotics at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, Arthur Richards, said "Aircraft inspection is a great application for drones. Coupled with smart navigation and computer vision, they can get accurate data from really awkward places. We look forward to working with EasyJet to develop safe, effective and efficient drone systems for this challenge."
According to Carolyn McCall, EasyJet CEO, this innovation will help the airline run more effectively, efficiently and safely. "The advantage of these emerging technologies is threefold - freeing up our engineering team to undertake more skilled tasks, keeping our costs down which in turn keeps our fares low and helping to minimize delays so maintaining our industry leading punctuality," she added.
What else to expect from EasyJet
Aside from this breakthrough on aircraft inspection, EasyJet is looking into some possibilities of using virtual reality glasses, equipped with a high definition see-through display system to easily and promptly diagnose technical issues.
The airline is also up into the development of special apps that are intended to help its engineers and pilots with their primary tasks; thus, it is also employing the use of Sony tablet computers to make its flights paperless.
