Autonomous Aircraft could take off by the end of this decade

Autonomous aircraft are the future of aviation which will help saving $35 billion a year, could take off by the end of this decade.

Autonomous planes are no longer just a far-off concept, as the aviation industry is actively working towards getting commercial airliners without pilots as soon as possible. Manufacturers are racing to develop autonomous drones, while airlines eagerly await their arrival.

ph: Xwing

However, the public remains skeptical, with a global survey revealing that most people would not be willing to trust autonomous planes, even if they were cheaper. The Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) sponsored the survey and found that 81% of Americans feel uncomfortable using the service.

Despite the skepticism, manufacturers like Xwing, a startup based in Northern California, are already conducting tests for small cargo planes. If successful, Xwing plans to launch autonomous aircraft by the end of 2025 and sell it to other operators. However, it will likely take at least another decade before larger numbers of passengers can be carried on autonomous planes and they can operate on a broader scale.

Before autonomous planes, the aviation industry was focused on electric planes. With rising gasoline prices and increased scrutiny on carbon emissions from air travel, the electric plane segment is becoming increasingly popular due to its CO2-free and relatively quiet advantages. According to Johan Norberg, head of flight training at the Green Flight academy, a 40-minute flight by Velis Electro uses only 2-3 dollars in renewable electricity, while a traditional single-engine trainer plane costs about $45 in fuel. The global electric aircraft market is expected to quadruple by 2030 and is estimated to be worth nearly $40 billion by the end of the decade, according to market research firm Precedence Research.

Autonomous Aircraft could take off by the end of this decade

ph: Xwing

However, inflation and recession risks are making it more difficult to raise capital for these projects. The era of startups racing to grow carelessly is over, and investors are not as willing to pour capital as before. Even Kittyhawk, a venture backed by Google co-founder Larry Page, was forced to close in September.

Overall, the aviation industry is at a crossroads as it navigates towards autonomous and electric planes. While the technology is advancing rapidly, public trust and funding remain critical hurdles that must be overcome.

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