Honeywell forms a dedicated Urban Air Mobility unit

A new business unit is introduced by Honeywell in order to support the growing industries: Unmanned Aerial Systems and Urban Air Mobility (UAM). This business unit will continue Honeywell’s momentum and leadership in these emerging markets, develop Honeywell’s technology, software and services.

Design of the future aerospace

“Urban Air Mobility and Unmanned Aerial Systems will play an increasing role in the future of aerospace, with potential applications in all-electric urban air taxi vehicles, hybrid-electric unmanned cargo drones, optionally piloted airplanes, delivery drones and everything in between,” said Mike Madsen, president and CEO, Honeywell Aerospace. Honeywell is already well positioned in these market and contributed with their technology. They would like to expand this unit in order to meet the customer needs even better and be part of the design of future transportation.

The UAS business unit will have its own engineering and sales resources in order to make unique products that is needed for this market. The unit would be also used as an integrator for other Honeywell products and services that could be applied in this industry. The UAS business unit will be multifunctional, where on the one side is focussing on creating new products and services, while on the other hand it will be on implementing current products and services into a new industry.

Products and services in autonomous aviation

The offerings of the unit include aircraft systems such as avionics, electric and hybrid-electric propulsion and thermal management, flight services such as unmanned air traffic management, and ground operations services such as predictive aircraft maintenance analytics. Besides the technology development, this unit will be the point of contact for other designers and operators to do business with Honeywell.

By forming this new organization department, Honeywell will be able to optimize their engineer resources to expand their portifolio of UAM solutions. The valuable knowledge of making urban air taxis, drone delivery of parcels and all forms of autonomous flight from a future vision to everyday reality.

The new department will heavily focus on software development, driving rapid development and testing of new products like:
1. A "fly-by-wire" autopilot system that automatically ensures aircraft stability even if the pilot is "hands off" for extended periods of time
2. Detect-and-avoid algorithms that automatically fly an aircraft around oncoming traffic
3. Artificial intelligence software that tracks landing zones for precise vertical landings every time

About Honeywell

Honeywell Aerospace products and services are found on virtually every commercial, defense and space aircraft. The Aerospace business unit builds aircraft engines, cockpit and cabin electronics, wireless connectivity systems, mechanical components and more. Its hardware and software solutions create more fuel-efficient aircraft, more direct and on-time flights and safer skies and airports. For more information, visit www.honeywell.com or follow them at @Honeywell_Aero.

Honeywell is a Fortune 100 technology company that delivers industry-specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable.