The Innovation team at the Lahav Division of Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) has developed a unique concept for its TaxiBot system, a semi-robotic towbarless tractor that tows an aircraft from the airport gate to the take-off point (taxi-out phase) and returns it to the gate after landing (taxi-in phase). The TaxiBot eliminates the use of airplane engines during taxi-in and until immediately prior to take-off during taxi-out.
Main Benefits
Taxiing without engines by using the TaxiBot to tow aircraft will result in:
- Reduced air pollution (CO2, NOx, and PM 10 emissions)
- Reduced noise pollution
- Lower fuel consumption
- Reduced levels of Foreign Object Damage (FOD)
- Fewer jet engine hours
- Fewer runway incursions
- Increased safety
Major Components of the TaxiBot demonstration system
- Towbarless PTS-1 Tug equipped with a unique mechanical interface to the Nose Landing Gear (NLG), a Low Level Control (LLC) function for driving the vehicle, and a Vectronics (Vehicle Electronics) system that provides the High Level Control (HLC) function, for managing towing operations while in Pilot Control Mode
- A Command, Control and Communication Center (C4) to manage the TaxiBot operation, monitor its behavior, and control mission execution
- An advanced, flexible, wireless communication system for data links, video, and audio transfer
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The TaxiBot's unique mechanical interface to the Nose Landing Gear (NLG) and its advanced control system provide the pilot - who is in constant communication with the Ground Traffic Controller in the tower as well as with the pushback and return driver in the vehicle - with full control while taxiing, using the existing airplane controls exactly as he does during conventional taxiing on airplanes jet engines. During taxi the TaxiBot gives a "transparent taxiing feeling" to the Pilot.
The TaxiBot can be used with any type of airplane and does not require any modification to the airplane. While it does require minor modifications of the airport infrastructure, it does not in any way affect the existing taxiways and runways nor interfere with normal airport operation.
Taxiing speed with a fully loaded aircraft will be the same as the current taxiing speed (up to 40 km/h).
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- When taxiing with jet engines, an average aircraft consumes 126 gallons of fuel. Taxiing with the TaxiBot towing the aircraft consumes only 7 – 15 gallons.
- By 2011 there will be about 81,000 mainliner flights each year. Worldwide use of the TaxiBot will reduce the cost of global fuel consumption for taxiing from $7,000,000,000 to only $750,000,000 per year.
- Burning a single gallon of fuel creates an emission of 9.57 kg of CO2. This means that in 2011 these emissions will reach 18,000,000 tons per year. Use of the TaxiBot has the potential to reduce these emissions to only 2,000,000 tons.
- It is estimated that the avoidance of Foreign Object Damage (FOD) when taxiing without engines will to lead to an additional savings of $350,000,000 per year.
- Use of the TaxiBot will significantly improve the safety and efficiency of Ground Traffic.
- In the not distant future, the innovative TaxiBot concept will lead to complete robotization of the taxiing process – and eventually to the full automation of airport ground traffic. This will have a significant impact on the world market.
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