AUTOPILOT SYSTEM
IN MODERN
VEHICLES
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Introduction
An autopilot is a system used to control the
path of an aircraft, marine craft or spacecraft
without requiring constant manual control by a
human operator. Autopilots do not replace
human operators. Instead, the autopilot assists
the operator's control of the vehicle, allowing
the operator to focus on broader aspects of
operations (for example, monitoring the
trajectory, weather and on-board systems).
Autopilot enables your car to steer, accelerate
and brake automatically within its lane. Current
Autopilot features require active driver supervision
and do not make the vehicle autonomous. Such
system is developed to reduce the work load of
human pilots in order to lessen their fatigue and
reduce operation errors during long flights.
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History of Autopilot system
In the past, pilots were required to give their
undivided attention for the whole duration of the
flight in order to fly safely. As technology improves
and the aviation world transitions into the modern
world, autopilot was introduced to aid pilots during
long journeys. To get relief from his problem,
Automation of Planes Began 9 Years After the
Wright Bros Took Flight—But It Still Leads to
Baffling Disasters. Autopilot has existed since 1912.
But some experts worry that too much plane
automation introduces danger. Autopilot has existed
since 1912. After that Bill Lear developed his F-5
automatic pilot and automatic approach control
system, and was awarded the Collier Trophy in
1949.
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The features of modern auto pilot
system
Automatic pilots consist of four major elements:
(1) a source of steering commands (such as a
computerized guidance program or a radio receiver),
(2) motion and position sensors (such as
gyroscopes, accelerometers, altimeters, and
airspeed indicators),
(3) a computer to compare the parameters specified
in the guidance ...
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The 3 levels of autopilots
Single-axis autopilots controls the aircraft in roll
axis only with the help of ailerons aka “wing
levelers”.
Two-axis autopilots can control an aircraft in
pitch axis as well as roll axis with the help
of ailerons & elevators.
The three-axis autopilot systems are capable of
controlling an aircraft in all the 3 axes- roll, pitch
& yaw with the help of all three – ailerons,
elevators & rudder.
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