> [...] a human drives Taxibot to a plane and hooks it up to its front wheel and internal systems. A pilot aboard the plane then takes over operation of Taxibot and – using the same controls used to steer the plane under jet power – drives close to the runway. Taxibot’s driver doesn’t have anything to do until the pilot disengages.
> At that moment, Taxibot drives away, and the Airbus pilot fires up their plane’s engines.
Sounds like it's being touted as lowering the carbon emissions, noise, and maintenance costs.
I'd be more concerned with the ground traffic control and safety issues. Lots more vehicles in motion on the ground. And yet another system, to further divide pilots' attention at a critical time.
Plus, at least in the US, staffing levels in control towers are dangerously low. The article mentions that the Taxibots have been rolled out at New York's JFK airport.
bell-cot•7mo ago
> At that moment, Taxibot drives away, and the Airbus pilot fires up their plane’s engines.
Sounds like it's being touted as lowering the carbon emissions, noise, and maintenance costs.
I'd be more concerned with the ground traffic control and safety issues. Lots more vehicles in motion on the ground. And yet another system, to further divide pilots' attention at a critical time.
Plus, at least in the US, staffing levels in control towers are dangerously low. The article mentions that the Taxibots have been rolled out at New York's JFK airport.