According
to a press
statement, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and Nanyang
Technological University in Singapore (NTU) have extended their collaboration
in the Air Traffic Management Research Institute (ATMRI) for another five
years.
Under
the extended partnership, up to S$61 million to be invested in research in
artificial intelligence and data science for air traffic management (ATM).
An initial
S$43 million would be invested in joint funds. The two organisations will
invest up to another S$18 million, subject to programme needs, to develop
solutions to improve airspace and airport capacity, as well as to enhance the
safety and efficiency of flight operations.
According
to Mr Kevin Shum, Director-General of CAAS, the next phase of our collaboration
will explore artificial intelligence, data science, as well as other emerging
technologies to elevate Singapore’s air traffic management capabilities.
Over
the next five years, up to 2023, NTU’s ATMRI will engage in five areas of
research to develop the next generation of air traffic management solutions.
The five
areas of research are: (1) Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science, (2) Urban
Aerial Transport Traffic Management and Systems, (3) Regional Air Traffic
Management Modernisation, (4) Exploratory Studies of Emerging Technologies, and
(5) Talent Development, with a focus on innovation.
“These
intelligent technologies will be developed at the NTU Smart Campus and
rigorously tested at our research facilities, which will pave the way for
future solutions that will allow Singapore to remain competitive as a
world-class aviation hub,” Professor Subra Suresh, President of NTU, shared.
By
leveraging technology, Singapore will be able to manage even higher volumes of
traffic whilst maintaining the highest levels of safety and service standards.
Other
than research, ATMRI will continue to develop innovation and training talents,
according Professor Lam Khin Yong, Vice President (Research) of NTU.
“NTU
has a strong track record of innovation and industry collaborations, which see
research concepts translated into real-world applications that have a tangible
impact. By leveraging our deep expertise in robotics and autonomous vehicles,
we are able to create new applications for air traffic management, such as
robotic aircraft taxiing and autonomous air control guidance for urban unmanned
aircraft systems,” said Prof Lam.
The CAAS-NTU collaboration extension agreement
was signed on the sidelines of the Singapore Airshow 2018.
