The idea of TaxiBot is so simple that one wonders why it wasn’t thought of a long time ago. The TaxiBot is operated by a single driver and they ‘lift’ the nose wheels of the aircraft for pushback. This allows for taxiing pilots to control the actual ‘tug’ so that they can avoid the use of the engine. The pilot steers the tractor by using the nose-gear tiller they have in the cockpit and, with the airplane wheels resting on the rotation platform, they can translate nose-gear deflections and change them into directional alterations for the tug. The airplane wheel brakes are used to actually decelerate and forward speed is controlled by braking. Pretty smart, huh?
Source: http://www.treehugger.com/aviation/taxibot-reduces-airplane-emissions-and-noise-pollution.html
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3 Responses to “TaxiBot Robotic Tug for Airplanes Brings Reduction in Emissions and Noise”
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It’s a shame they don’t have an electric car version of this. It might be a real problem charging batteries, but at least an EV would save them a lot more money in fueling the little taxis. It won’t be long before most of us are comfortable with electric cars, so there’s got to be some company out there putting together an electric version.
July 1st, 2013 at 8:51 pmWouldn’t it be great to land and then not have to sit over the intense and continuous loud noise of the airplane engine revving up and slowing down as you glide to the gate? I really hate the smell too. It has made more than one passenger nauseated and it’s the worst when you are sitting too close to the engines. This is a great idea and really sounds like it benefits everyone.
June 30th, 2013 at 8:30 pmI have landed in some of the airports where the tires touched down, but we just kept going and going and going and it seemed to take forever before we were even close to the gate. As long as it doesn’t slow down the time getting to the gate (people are so impatient), then this is a positive move in the right direction.
June 29th, 2013 at 9:37 pm