CAAS and Searidge partner to develop AI for air traffic management

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Searidge Technologies to carry out research and development into the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in air traffic management (ATM).

It is hoped that AI could be applied to enhance the safety and performance of ATM through new ATM functionalities, such as predictive runway incursion and collision detection.

Additionally, AI could be utilised for aerodrome operational performance analytics and speech recognition, which could further improve the safety and performance of control tower operations.

CAAS director-general Kevin Shum said: “Singapore is actively driving the development of innovative ATM solutions to further enhance efficiency and maintain high safety standards in our busy and complex airspace.

“We are pleased to add Searidge Technologies to our list of strategic collaborations with leading ATM solution providers in this endeavour. Searidge is already contributing to the development of the smart digital tower prototype currently being built for Changi Airport.”

Under the terms of the MoU, Searidge Technologies’ technical expertise in smart digital airport solutions will be combined with CAAS’ operational expertise in ATM.

Both partners will use an agile development approach, and feedback received from operational and technical users will be incorporated regularly into the design of the solution.

Searidge Technologies CEO Moodie Cheikh said: “CAAS is a thought leader and early technology adopter in the industry and the perfect partner for this collaboration.

“We are looking forward to expanding our relationship with them and aggressively advancing AI technology in the digital tower domain to improve performance and operational excellence at airports around the world.”

The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the CANSO World ATM Congress held in Madrid, Spain.