DARPA's autonomous flight program steps closer to reality after successful tests

DARPA's'robot pilot' kit is one-step closer to transforming military planes and helicopters into autonomous flying machines. Called Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS), the Pentagon's research agency announced that the technology has now completed Phase 2 of development. During testing, the kit was successful in ground and flight demonstrations and showed it is capable of quickly tailoring to new platforms. DARPA's drop-in, removable'robot pilot' kit (pictured) is closer to reality. Called Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS), the Pentagon's researcher agency announced the technology has completed Phase 2 of development For example, an array of cameras allows the robot to see all the cockpit instruments and read the gauges.