Artificial Wingman and Co-pilot

Purpose and goal

The purpose of the project ARtificial wingman and CO-Pilot (ARCOP) is to improve mission effectiveness by providing better pilot support and to face the challenges for future manned and unmanned aircraft systems. The objective is to use technologies from the fields of artificial intelligence and machine learning to create a transparent, robust and effective artificial co-pilot that seamlessly support the pilot and can control different aircraft functions depending on the focus and situation of the pilot and tactical air unit.

Expected results and effects

ARCOP is a collaboration between Saab and KTH and constitutes a foundation for a PhD degree. The collaboration will strengthen Swedish aircraft research within the field of autonomy by combining the academic partner’s knowledge regarding autonomous systems in other domains with the company´s knowledge of aircraft systems. The industrial PhD student is anticipated to bridge the gap between the academic and industrial worlds and contribute to an increased understanding of the innovation process for all actors.

Planned approach and implementation

The PhD student should perform research within the area of artificial intelligence applied to the problem of developing an artificial co-pilot. The student should develop, implement and evaluate candidate solutions in realistic and representative scenarios. The efficiency, robustness and transparency of the approach should be investigated. The main results should be published and presented at scientific conferences and in journals. KTH and Saab provide supervision and guidance of the student in the state-of-the-art as well as in selections of methodology for the project.