By Shobha Kulavil, Vice President and Industry Platform Leader for Aerospace and Defence – India, Capgemini
The aviation industry has been spreading its wings with engineering prowess and futuristic innovations. Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) will define the next era of aviation transportation systems globally, built on a collaboration of new-age technologies. India too has boarded the AAM flight as it promises creating a new aerial mobility ecosystem for the country’s unique needs and challenges.
Mobility in the air
The aviation industry envisions a future combining innovation and sustainability, perfectly blended into the engineering of products and systems.
Imagine a vehicle running on electric power to take off, land, and hover vertically without a conventional runway. It doesn’t have to be a figment of imagination anymore. eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take Off and Landing), an emerging concept popularly known as an air taxi or flying taxi, can enable access to difficult terrains. It is an electric aircraft, which can offer quieter, cleaner and environment-friendly transportation.
eVTOL has applications beyond air taxis, including emergency transportation, rescue operations, cargo shipping, and many more. For example, e-commerce players can use eVTOL to speed up delivery and reduce cost. Automotive industry understands the first-mover advantage of manufacturing eVTOLs with an approach of a casual mode of mobility in the air. Airline companies are also exploring the launch of air taxis in India, partnering with global eVTOL players.
Tech-enabled air mobility
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can transform the design phase of aviation engineering. ML models can simulate various design scenarios and optimize aerodynamics, material, and structural integrity, allowing engineers to build efficient and robust aircraft.
From the sky to the ground, the demand for seamless connectivity cuts across. Advanced satellite technology can help meet future aviation communication, navigation, and surveillance needs. Beyond providing in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity, satellite-based systems ensure flight safety and are crucial for optimizing routes and reducing fuel consumption.
Iris, led by the European Space Agency (ESA) in partnership with a US-based communication company, is an Air Traffic Management (ATM) program enabling aircraft to fly more fuel-efficient routes using digital satellite communication. By digitally connecting the ATM ecosystem, pilots and air traffic controllers can collaborate to maximize airspace use and reduce disruptions for passengers.
3D printing can be used for quick and cost-effective prototyping, allowing engineers to validate designs, perform functional testing, and make design iterations in a shorter timeframe.
Sustainability engineered
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the global airline industry’s carbon emissions in 2024 are expected to be 935 million tons from the consumption of 99 billion gallons of fuel. This requires action at the fundamental level—building fuel-efficient aircraft.
Innovations in material science and recycling may be revolutionary for aircraft designs. New sensors and data will incrementally optimize everything—from airflow over the wings to flight routes—on both new and old aircraft designs, improving energy efficiency. It will have an unprecedented impact on global supply chains spanning fuel, material, and manufacturing.
The adoption of circular economy practices by automating the inspection process, optimizing lifecycle analysis of aircraft parts, and guiding decisions to extend their lifespan can contribute to the aviation industry’s sustainability goals.
The runway of aviation engineering is vast; it is the industry that can safeguard every aspect of taking off and landing.
( Views expressed are personal)
