A transformative step in aviation technology is unfolding, and at the centre is a Silicon Valley company making headlines across the globe. Aeva Technologies, a specialist in cutting-edge perception systems, has been selected by Airbus UpNext to support a groundbreaking project aimed at automating aircraft taxiing operations at Toulouse Airport in France.
This partnership does more than mark Aeva’s first foray into aerospace. It signals the merging of automotive-grade sensor innovation with the demanding world of commercial aviation. The outcome could reshape how airports operate in the years to come.
From Cars to Cockpits
Founded by former Apple and Nikon engineers, Aeva has gained international recognition for its development of next-generation sensing systems. Its flagship product, known as four-dimensional LiDAR, captures not just the position of objects in space, but also their speed and direction. This is crucial for navigating dynamic environments like airports, where both safety and responsiveness are essential.
Airbus UpNext, the innovation division of Airbus, has tapped Aeva’s technology for its Optimate project. This initiative is focused on developing fully autonomous taxiing from gate to runway. Initially, the technology will be mounted on a truck to simulate aircraft movements. Later, it will be installed on an Airbus A350 to test real-time navigation in live airport conditions.
Understanding the Technology
Traditional LiDAR systems generate point clouds that show the distance of objects. Aeva’s system takes this further by incorporating motion data, enabling machines to understand how objects are moving relative to one another. This means the system can detect and track vehicles, people or other aircraft on the ground with incredible accuracy.
Aeva uses a sensing method called Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave, which helps eliminate issues that often disrupt satellite navigation, such as signal loss near large structures or metal surfaces. By capturing both location and motion in one scan, Aeva’s sensor can support truly autonomous movement, allowing vehicles or aircraft to safely navigate busy airport environments.
Why Autonomous Taxiing Matters
While the moments spent taxiing an aircraft might seem mundane, they account for a significant portion of pilot workload and airport delays. By automating this stage of flight, airlines and airports can save time, reduce fuel consumption and cut down on human error.
Autonomous taxiing could also play a vital role in addressing the global pilot shortage. As the demand for air travel continues to grow, automation can help ease operational pressures and ensure smooth ground operations even with limited staff.
“This collaboration with Airbus shows the scalability and versatility of our technology,” said Soroush Salehian, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Aeva. “It is a major validation of our vision to bring our advanced sensing capabilities to new industries, including aviation.”
Changing the Game for Aviation
The aerospace industry has traditionally relied on radar and satellite data for navigation. Aeva’s real-time LiDAR system presents a new approach, one that is potentially more precise and more adaptable in ever-changing environments.
Airbus plans to use the sensor data in combination with its existing control software to allow the aircraft to navigate taxiways and aprons autonomously. The system will detect its surroundings, identify obstacles and adjust its path on the fly. This level of machine awareness was previously considered futuristic, but it is now being tested in real conditions.
According to Thomas Fritsch, an independent aviation consultant, “This is not just about parking planes. It is a major step towards creating safer, more efficient and intelligent ground operations. If this works as expected, it could lead to wide adoption in commercial airports around the world.”
Bigger Implications for the Industry
Aeva’s entry into aviation reflects a wider trend of crossover innovation between industries. Technologies once developed for cars are now proving valuable in aircraft, drones and industrial robotics.
The success of this project could open new doors for Aeva. With customers already in the automotive and industrial sectors, the company is now positioning itself as a leader in mobility sensing across land and air.
Autonomous taxiing is just one piece of a larger puzzle. As airlines and manufacturers look towards future aircraft that include pilot assistance systems or even remote operations, precision sensing will become a central component. Aeva’s sensor technology could very well form the foundation for these future systems.
Looking Ahead
The tests at Toulouse Airport are already underway, and early results are promising. If all goes to plan, Aeva and Airbus may soon demonstrate a fully functioning autonomous taxiing aircraft; a significant step forward for modern aviation.
In the longer term, the partnership between a sensor start-up from Silicon Valley and the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer may serve as a blueprint for how technology companies and aerospace leaders can collaborate to build smarter, safer and more sustainable flight systems.
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