TAXIBOT. May Technical Partner

Transcription

1 TAXIBOT May 2017

2 TaxiBot Concept Pilot Controlled taxiing without aircraft engines running Aircraft engines turned on at taxi end shortly before take-off Major savings in aircraft fuel consumption Significant reduction of gas emissions 85% during taxi

3 TaxiBot Concept (2) The TaxiBot (Taxiing Robot) concept a Pilot Controlled semi-robotic airplane taxiing towbarless tractor Retaining the principle Pilot in Command at all times along the taxiing process, using the same airplane controls as in normal taxi ( transparent to the pilot ) Reducing loads on NLG Pilot braking by Main Landing Gear system as opposed to tractor braking Engines off Engines will be turned on at taxi end, only shortly before take-off to enable warm-up and checks Immediate taxi by the end of the Pushback no need to wait for engines startup Driver For pushback, emergency disconnection and return phase

4 Taxi-out Operations comparison Disconnection Area

5 Summary of TaxiBot benefits Reduction in Fuel consumption 85% Emissions reduction CO2 & other noxious gasses 85% Noise reduction 60% FOD reduction 50% Improve safety No engine blast better grip on contaminate taxiway Improve gates congestion & throughput significant reduction of time wasted at cul-de-sacs (37%) Proven Fast & Easy implementation: No modification to airplane systems (Cockpit switch in A320) Reduces airplane brakes wear by about 50% Indicated by Airbus Pilot training by CBT no need for simulator Approved & Working No extra weight & no impact on Cargo space Achieved Minimal or no modifications to airports infrastructure Achieved Minimal adaptations to existing procedures Achieved

6 Benefits in gate area efficiency and cul-de-sacs

7 Benefits: gate clearing

8 Charles De Gaulle Operational Concept Simulation Study Results 15 NB and 6 WB TaxiBot dispatch 304 departure aircraft 40% of the departure traffic 55% of the TaxiBot compatible aircraft TaxiBot operations Are compatible with current CDG infrastructure Do not impact the airport capacity Do not induce perturbations in aircraft flows No impact on daily average taxi times (10s taxi-out time reduction) Fluctuating effect on taxi-out times through the day Slight increase of taxi-out times for aircraft using TaxiBot (+2.6%) Slight reduction for conventional aircraft (-1.7%)

9 TaxiBot Technological Design

10 TaxiBot models Two TaxiBot models: Narrow Body for single aisle airplanes: A318 to A321 B737 to B757 Wide Body for twin aisle airplanes: A330 to A380 B767 to B747 Subsystems communality between TaxiBot models and modules in each tractor Hybrid Diesel-electric drive

11 TaxiBot NB structure Extensive redundancy Designed life 15 years Page 15

12 TaxiBot Steering Control The TaxiBot system includes the following major elements: Unique NLG interface clamping mechanism mounted on a rotating turret for: Load alleviation during pushback, acceleration and braking Transferring pilot tiller steering commands to the tug wheels via a steering control system. Cockpit switch for Airbus airplanes No modification to the airplane systems and no additional weight carried by the airplane Platform and supports Clamping mechanism and Rotating Turret

13 Airbus documentation update Airbus documentation now allows dispatch towing with NB TaxiBot on all A320 family: Flight Crew Operating Manual (FCOM) Supplemental Procedures (PRO-SUP) section In-Service Information (ISI) on Towbarless Towing (ISI ) provided TaxiBot switch installation in the cockpit is a Minor modification First kit installation on LH A321 is planned for July 2017 Airbus SB and associated kit will be available in Sept

14 Speed control in Pilot mode Speed performance and control: The TaxiBot speed control is similar to an automatic car in Drive gear when the pilot release the brake the TaxiBot start to move The difference is that the TaxiBot moves and accelerates to the max allowed speed according to the taxiway definition The pilot reduces the speed by the airplane pedals to the required taxiing speed according to traffic An adaptive traction algorithm learns pilot braking and provides any taxiing speed lower than the maximum to allow maintaining comfortable speed at queues

15 Airbus approval for TaxiBot for dispatch towing operation with A320 family

16 TaxiBot Crew The TaxiBot is designed for one man operation In line steering provides excellent filed of view of both wing tips during pushback, provides full over torque protection and immunity to Jackknife Conventional Pushback TaxiBot In-line Pushback

17 Main Technical Advantages vs. On Board Solutions TaxiBot is a solution for NB & WB airplanes, for ALL ranges of flight No modification to airplanes systems No extra weight and no reduction in cargo space Insignificant pilot training based on CBT same cockpit controls and pilot feeling as normal taxiing Same concept for all NB and WB airplanes, same procedures The TaxiBot is not using APU power to move the airplane, its carrying all required energy for the convoy (TaxiBot & airplane) The TaxiBot provides major safety improvements: Better traction and grip in contaminated taxiways (with Ice & snow) Better driver visual contact with airplane wing tips during pushback Intuitive maneuverability during pushback Immediate taxi after pushback increase efficiency in the gate area Available NOW (STC granted) In-service A/C and New-orders

18 TaxiBot Program Status

19 Participating & supporting companies Strong network between well recognised industries partners in place Certification support Engineering support for Certification / Airplane adaptations Access to Airlines and Airports Risk share p. Subcontractor Support Concept Owner / Program Leader All PCM Control systems and software, Operational Concept Owner / Program Leader logic, sensors, vectronics suit and integration Project initiator Completion of technical feasibility study, simulation relationships with several potential customers Airworthiness embedded systems Recognized technical experience in robotics Prototype vehicle design Series manufacturing (risk-sharing partner) After sales support Supporting company LH Aircrafts and pilots Launching customer Electric Driveline Supply (Risk-sharing subcontractor)

20 TaxiBot Master Plan TaxiBot NB (Narrow Body) 3 operating commercial flights in Frankfurt since Nov 2014 Certification for B737 Classic Granted by CAAI & EASA Oct 2014 Certification for B737 NG - Granted by CAAI Mar16 & EASA Apr16 In Service Evaluation (ISE) 4Q/2014 2Q/2015 Frankfurt Routine Operation Evaluation (ROE) 4Q/2015 4Q/2016 Frankfurt Certification for A/C A320 Airbus/EASA & FAA granted May 2017 TaxiBot WB (Wide Body) Prototype testing 2018 Certification

21 Supplemental Type Certificate Page 26

22 A320 Certification Airbus/EASA Page 27

23 Frankfurt Operation ISE Page 28

24 Frankfurt Operation ROE Changes between ISE to ROE: No infrastructure modification needed for the Frankfurt operation After getting confidence from the ISE operation new disconnection areas were approved on the Taxiways The process has improved, time shortened and dispatch procedures stabilized No incidents with any effect on the airplane were experienced Page 29

25 Frankfurt Operation Next step Additional unloading areas for Rwy 25C to better cover A320 departures Page 30

26 TLD s TaxiBot Plant Sorigny

27 TaxiBot Production & Support Production: New production line in Sorigny France working since November 2014 Production capacity up to 60 vehicles per year Significant Expansion capabilities Support: TaxiBot after-sales support through TLD network: 40 sites in 5 continents TaxiBot module in TLD internet support system Spare parts via TLD s global network

28 TaxiBot Customers Attractive business case to several stakeholders: Airlines Direct savings of fuel & reduction of emissions & FOD Ground handlers (possible pooling in airports) Sharing of airline savings Leasing companies Flexible schemes for customers Airports Noise and CO 2 reduction Implementation alike deice equipment (possible pooling) Locations: TaxiBot s focus in the coming years is on the leading airports in the world, mainly in Europe, Asia, US & Middle East Page 33

29 ICF Study results Fuel savings

30 ICF Study results CO2 emission savings Air pollution: Every Gallon of fuel burn emits 9.57 Kg of CO2

31 Conclusions The TaxiBot Opportunity

32 Conclusions The only certified and operational taxiing system with engines stopped: Compatible to 100 seats or more (Boeing and Airbus) Immediate solution for existing and new aircraft Introducing revolution to a conservative business: Maintain the pilot s responsibility (while being transparent) Safety driver Working closely with airlines, airports and aircraft manufactures Minor or no adaptations for system implementation (airport, airplane) No additional weight to any airplane The TaxiBot, a Green taxiing solution now

33 Thank you TaxiBot team