Artificial intelligence growing influential within the field of aviation
In the skies above Austria, modern aviation is soaring to new heights, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and autonomous robots playing key roles in improving operational efficiency, service quality for passengers, and sustainability at various airports across the country.
At Vienna Airport, the largest in Austria, AI is making a significant impact. Ten photovoltaic plants with a total of 78,000 solar panels cover approximately 46 hectares, providing clean energy. AI is also used in terminal operations to detect bottlenecks and reduce waiting times, thanks to 3D sensors and intelligent real-time analyses. Autonomous robots are hard at work in the cargo area, transporting freight documents, and maintaining the photovoltaic systems using AI-controlled drones.
Vienna Airport isn't alone in its embrace of technology. At Salzburg Airport, AI is used in various software systems, IT security, and the operation of technical facilities in a supporting role. The airport's own AI system, "Brainy," is used in various working areas, including the preparation of contracts, although human intervention is still required for the release of contracts. AI-controlled wiping robots and autonomous robots for building cleaning keep the airport clean and efficient.
AI is also being used at airports in Frankfurt, Germany, and in the federal state airports in Salzburg, Graz, and Innsbruck. However, at Austria's third and fourth largest airports in Innsbruck and Graz, AI is not playing a significant role in aircraft handling as of now. In Graz, the AI system intended to improve aircraft handling is not explicitly named in the provided search results, and there are currently no larger AI projects to report. Innsbruck-Kranebitten Airport, too, has potential for AI, but no concrete larger projects are underway at the moment.
The APA - Austria Presse Agentur eG, Austria's largest national news and press agency, based in Vienna, frequently initiates projects with new technologies and innovations, including AI, through its digital innovation hub and strategic partnership with Plug and Play. One such project is the "Seer" system at Frankfurt Airport, which is designed to make aircraft more punctual by recording individual steps of an aircraft handling process at five parking positions. The system is set to be available at 20 positions by the end of September and will later be gradually extended to the entire airport.
As the world of aviation continues to evolve, it's clear that AI and autonomous robots will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of travel in Austria and beyond.
