May the 4th Be with You! How Star Wars Predicted Aviation’s Future

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, Star Wars hit movie theaters with an intergalactic bang.

Audiences from around the world were mesmerized with Luke, Darth Vader and Han Solo, the good versus evil storylines and most importantly the futuristic technology they saw on screen. From droids with artificial intelligence to self-flying spacecraft, holograms and animatronic limbs, kids and kids at heart were captivated by the space-aged innovation.

Who would have guessed just a few short decades later we’d be living in a world where the advanced technology from George Lucas’ space tale would be relatively commonplace? 

Four ways Star Wars foreshadowed current and emerging aviation innovations:

•    Autonomous Flight. Flight deck automation began with the first autopilot more than a century ago and today’s cockpits are highly automated, thanks in part to Honeywell innovations.  Sophisticated flight management, navigation, communications, hazard avoidance, auto-land and other innovative systems improve situational awareness and optimize aircraft performance. These technologies also manage operations in every stage of flight and reduce pilot workload so flight crews can concentrate on other priorities like safety, passenger comfort and on-time performance.

•    Artificial Intelligence. Today we have smart machines that learn, recognize voices, make decisions, solve problems and make recommendations on everything from the routes we drive to the movies we watch. Thanks to these technologies, flying is becoming safer, more comfortable, more predictive and outcome based. Airlines can improve schedule performance, use less fuel, leave a smaller environmental footprint and create a better passenger experience. Airports are more efficient and easier for travelers to navigate. Ground crews can turn flights around faster and dispatch operations are more efficient, autonomy based, and aircraft maintenance is easier, faster, more prescriptive and more precise thanks to AI.

•    Quantum computing. Quantum computing is disrupting our world and enabling us to solve critical challenges too complex for classic computers. Soon, businesses will harness the power of quantum computing to unravel complex challenges. The impact will be felt in countless industries, but most specifically cybersecurity, finance, pharmaceuticals, aerospace and defense, oil and gas, logistics and sustainability.

•     Advanced Air Mobility. Honeywell is at the forefront with technologies that enable next generation advanced air mobility, including uncrewed aircraft and flying taxies. For example, our technology suite for light drones allows unmanned aircraft to fly farther, carry more weight, avoid hazards and stream video of their progress anywhere in the world.­ Applications include last-mile package delivery, military intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, pipeline and power line inspection, search and rescue, or use by first responders.

Star Wars is more than just geek-chic. The series has launched dozens of movies, video games, television shows and spinoffs, not to mention fashion and technological advancements. What was once science fiction, is now a legacy of scientific innovation. As the Star Wars universe expands, so will the world’s creative vision and future technological advancements.

May the 4th be with you!