Embraer has concluded a series of experimental flights in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, focused on evaluating new autonomous system technologies in real flight conditions. The goal is to enable safe autonomous operation in complex urban environments.

The aerial data collection and real-time evaluation of these technologies in urban scenarios used regular piloted helicopters as part of the Embraer Autonomous Systems project (Project EASy), which uses agile testing process for the development of best-in-class solutions that will enable the autonomous aviation of the future.

Embraer worked with Eve UAM, an Embraer company dedicated to accelerating the urban air mobility (UAM) ecosystem, and in direct collaboration with partners Daedalean, Iris Automation and Near Earth Autonomy for seven full days. During this time, the companies explored nominal and edge-case scenarios for take off, climb, cruise, approach and landing flight phases. The helicopters from Helisul Aviacao, an Eve partner for UAM development in Brazil, were controlled by professional pilots at all times while systems captured data and performed real-time calculations.

“This project allowed us to evaluate technologies in real-time and also collect lots of data that will later be used in simulations,” says head of autonomous systems Julio Bolzani. “It is important to note that we are not going straight to fully autonomous operations. As Eve begins operations, pilots will be on board and will also benefit from the application of these technologies through a safer and simplified vehicle operation until we reach a fully certified autonomous flight system for urban air mobility.”

This experimental process is also connected to the Concept of Operations (ConOps) coordinated by Eve since 2021, in cooperation with strategic partners and government entities to convert this acquired knowledge into working data and analysis framework to guide all operational aspects of the future of urban air mobility.

“All information and data raised in this project, as well as the technical solutions under development, will set the path for fully autonomous flight of eVTOLs in the future,” says co-CEO Andre Stein. “We are thrilled with all operational aspects exercised and data acquired in this project and its direct connection to our CONOPS. These are solid steps for safely introducing future autonomous operations and accelerating the affordability and growth of the UAM market.”

Eve published the ConOps earlier this month. The document was drawn up by a working group to better understand the characteristics and challenges faced by UAM and brings together data and analyses that cover the perspective, points of attention and operational needs of eVTOL vehicles, passenger journey and services and support.