Thales and VoltAero willcooperation to pursue innovative airborne data collection and computing solutions that promise significant enhancements for the autonomy, sustainability and operability of VoltAero’s Cassio electric-hybrid aircraft family. Thales’ FlytLink Edge Computing system enables real-time processing of imagery from on-board cameras with artificial intelligence supporting such functions as the detection of obstacles and air traffic. The initial validation of such technologies are now underway using VoltAero’s Cassio 1 testbed aircraft.
Thales installed a demonstrator of its FlytLink Edge Computing system on Cassio 1. This ultra-compact computer, natively connected to the cloud, enables the collection and real-time transmission of data from onboard sensors and avionics, along with the processing of data in flight or on the ground using the latest-generation algorithms, as well as the hosting of applications that facilitate piloting tasks.
Jean Botti, VoltAero CEO and Chief Technology Officer, commented: “Potential future uses of Thales’ FlytLink Edge Computing solutions on production versions of the Cassio electric-hybrid aircraft family include optimizing route planning for flight operations that are even more efficient and environmentally friendly. The real-time processing of imagery from on-board cameras with artificial intelligence could also support such functions as the detection of obstacles and air traffic, an asset for flight safety.”
Marc Duval-Destin, VP Strategy, Product and Innovation of Thales flight avionics activities, added: "Developing innovative solutions for regional and urban air mobility needs to build on the best of avionics know-how, further improving the safety of these new aircraft and offering breakthrough solutions based on the most advanced technologies. This is precisely what we are implementing with VoltAero – beginning on Cassio 1 – to test and develop solutions that will make a difference for air transportation of tomorrow.”
VoltAero is developing a family of electric-parallel hybrid aircraft based on the company’s proprietary electric-hybrid powertrain. Its Cassio 1 testbed has undergone extensive airborne evaluations since 2020 with VoltAero’s full-power 600-kilowatt electric-hybrid powertrain, logging some 10,000 kilometers in flights in France and to the United Kingdom.
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