Artificial Neural Network - What if airplane had brain?

What if airplane had brain? It may seem crazy but can you believe it’s actually happening! Artificial neural network technology is being used to make airplane think. We humans are totally capable of thought which help us perform our daily actions. I'm sure you think that way too!

Video Credits: Airbus

It also help us gain self-awareness and avoid impending danger or accident. For example we don’t overspeed at turns as we know, if we overspeed we may miss the road and fall due to high centrifugal force.

What is a neural network?

Neural network is nothing but a series of algorithm which recognises basic relationship between available data similar to human brain’s operation. The main advantage of neural network is that it can adapt to the continuously changing input. Neural network was developed from the artificial intelligence.

Application of neural network in aviation

Artificial neural network concept can be used anywhere data is involved. For example airplane generate huge amount of data, if the data is analysed in real-time it may indicate about forthcoming danger. If a turbine blade wasn’t able to withstand a certain amount of temperature, which caused an accident earlier. 

This data would have been recorded in available reports. If this data is feed into artificial neural network it may warn us about the forthcoming danger as the temperature in the turbine section reaches a threshold.

Increasing air traffic can be effectively handled by artificial neural network. It can be used for predicting better flight paths (routes). Aircraft can be completely controlled by artificial neural networks. Artificial neural networks can be used for predicting failure.

As a result artificial neural networks may enhance the way we fly. Still it would be better if human's are at the decision making position.