Airports and airlines have been looking for way to cut emissions since it was revealed that the airline industry represents nearly five percent of the world’s carbon emissions. Some extreme activists are calling to a severe cut in air travel, especially on short haul flights, many of which are completely unnecessary. In an effort to cut emissions Ricardo has come up with some innovative ways to cut carbon emissions at the airport. The vehicle was engineered aims to lessen aircraft fuel costs, emissions of CO2, as well as noise. One of the major sources of CO2 emissions comes from taxiing to and from the airport gate and the runway. Ricardo has come up with a plan to cut these emissions.
As of right now aircraft are forced to use the main propulsion jet engines for slow ground speed movements. This is a highly inefficient and adds to carbon emissions and noise in the local area, as well as the fuel that is wasted by the process. Ricardo has come up with a way to reduce these admissions with a robot, pilot controlled towing vehicle which goes by the name TaxiBot. Thus far the TaxiBot was developed for the Israeli Aerospace Industries. The TaxiBot will require only minor changes to the infrastructure of most airports and will work on most aircraft.
After the TaxiBot becomes more common in airports around the world it is expected to play a major role in the reduction of carbon emissions, fuel costs, and noise levels. This will be welcomed news to environmentalists as well as those living near airports.
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