THIS could be the world’s first AI passenger plane where travellers can sit in the cockpit and enjoy the view – because there’s no pilot.
The fully autonomous private jet concept has been revealed by aerospace giant Embraer – and it represents a breakthrough in futuristic aviation.
The company has joined with Bombardier to provide the futuristic vision of a business jet – that’s piloted by artificial intelligence.
At the National Business Aviation Association event in Orlando, Florida, the jet giant unveiled the plans for a future medium-size cabin jet.
The breakthrough plan features a cabin with three zones, Embraer revealed on X.
One of the zones shows a lounge with copious amounts of space for seating – including in the cockpit.
But the jet wouldn’t have so much space if it weren’t for the autonomous design where there’s no need for a cockpit or pilot.
The futuristic cabin plan is also pictured featuring windows with touchscreens.
The plane is also designed run entirely off sustainable fuel and has a design that has no engines in the wings.
Instead, the engines seem to be situated one above the other and have three air intakes – one on top of the fueselage and two to the side.
It also sports a V-tail – which is never seen on business jets – and an engine configuration with two turbofans in the tail.
Embraer told AertoTime: “The concept presented was a fully autonomous aircraft that will eliminate the need for a cockpit and enable new cabin configurations, such as a forward lounge.
“Sustainability would be in the DNA of the airplane with a green technology propulsion system based either on SAF, electrification and/or hydrogen.”
Despite the incredible plans laying the foundations for the future of pilotless aviation, according to Embraer, the jet has not been worked on since the initial idea was released.
The company said: “The concept aircraft shows the boundaries of what is possible and the potential future innovations.
“Most importantly, we showed the video to inspire the industry to continue innovative thinking.
“At this point, there are no commitments from Embraer Executive Jets to develop and manufacture the aircraft.”
But other aviation companies working on similar elements could lead to the creation of Embrear’s business jet.
These include Cirrus and HondaJet, who offer an autonomous flight feature for emergencies if the pilot were to become incapacitated and can’t land the plane – leaving the aircraft to do it itself.
Ongoing disputes continue within the aviation world on the reduction of pilot operations – or working towards ridding them completely.
