Daedalean and Honeywell collaborate on vision-based flight control for general aviation and eVTOL

Daedalean and Honeywell, Inc. have signed an agreement on joint testing and technological partnership in developing solutions for autonomous takeoff, landing and GPS-independent navigation and collision avoidance for GA aircraft and electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOL). Additionally, Honeywell Ventures has joined the Swiss startup's pool of investors, the amount and conditions undisclosed.

Daedalean's innovations promise benefits well before full autonomy in the cockpit becomes a reality, with the potential to enhance classical flight deck instruments including collision avoidance systems, flight directors and autopilots. The systems able to process visual images, similar to human-like situational awareness, can simplify pilot operations greatly and thereby free up the pilot's attention for safety-critical oversight.

"Developing flight control software requires lots of flight data," noted Luuk van Dijk, founder and CEO of Daedalean. "That's why the collaboration with prominent industry partners such as Honeywell is critical for us to speed up the development of our technology. We are preparing for the joint flights testing our solutions for various types of aircraft, and excited to carry out trials on the planes we haven't tried before."