AI is learning to fly airplanes — and aviation is starting to embrace it

The small Cessna Caravan accelerates down the runway and climbs into the air, all while the pilot beside me keeps his hands off the controls.

Boston-based Merlin testing A.I. system to fly planes

A Boston-based startup is working on an AI system that could make pilotless airplanes a reality.
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Merlin to Bring Military Autonomy Platform to Commercial Air Cargo

Early integrations will focus on commercial cargo aircraft before expanding to other large models.
Flying

Merlin to Automate U.S. Special Operations Command C-130s

USSOCOM awarded Merlin a $105 million contract to develop virtually autonomously operated C-130J Super Hercules transports. A core requirement for these aircraft is the ability to fly from takeoff to ...
The Boston Globe

Self-flying plane startup lands $105 million defense contract

Boston-based Merlin, a startup that makes software to automate aircraft, has been awarded $105 million by the US Special Operations Command, part of the Department of Defense. Merlin is to develop a ...
The Boston Globe

You’ve heard of self-driving cars. What about self-flying planes?

Robot vacuum cleaners are one thing. Robot cars, too. But robot airplanes? A Boston startup called Merlin says it’s just a matter of time before planes will fly themselves. Merlin has teamed up with ...