Jessica Reed is a writer and editor with AIN. She joined the team in the fall of 2023 after two years covering the aviation industry at Avionics International. She earned her bachelor&#039;s degree in English (Writing &amp; Rhetoric) from Pepperdine University. Her hometown is St. Louis, Missouri, and she since has resided in Santa Barbara, California, and Brooklyn, New York, among others. She is currently based in Vernon, New Jersey.

Writer & Editor

Jessica Reed

Universal Avionics introduced an AI-powered taxi assist solution yesterday at AEA 2025 to address the persistent safety challenge during aircraft ground operations at airports. With the new product, the company aims to reduce the 1,500 runway incursions that occur each year in the U.S.
According to Universal engineer Thomas Smith, the “new solution…has the potential to eliminate errors on the airfield, ultimately saving lives.” He noted that recent statistics show nearly five runway incursion incidents occur daily nationwide.
<img alt="Universal Avionics" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="739fa4a5-8f75-4d57-88bc-a5fef0cce2ad" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/IMG_3061.jpg" width="4032" height="3024" loading="lazy">
The Universal Taxi Assist system leverages speech-to-text technology designed for noisy environments. It analyzes verbal air traffic control instructions, processes them, and turns them into intuitive visual directions displayed on flight deck displays. By identifying instructions specific to an aircraft’s call sign or registration number, the system allows pilots to focus on assigned tasks and limits distractions.
Key features include verification of pilot readback against ATC confirmation, graphical displays with runway indicators and warnings on navigation maps, and logged clearance instructions that provide status updates at each step of the taxi process. The system dynamically displays complex directions in real time, so pilots do not need to rely on memory or handwritten notes.
Smith said the technology is trained with aviation-specific keywords and flight workflows, using location data to determine valid pathways based on each airport’s configuration. The processed information is displayed on Universal’s flight deck and head-up displays.
“Taxi Assist brings significant safety improvements and reduces crew workload by making it easier to follow taxi and clearance instructions,” Smith explained. He described the product as part of Universal Avionics’ “vision of a future without accidents, beginning here with runway incursions, and extending into future applications that enhance flight safety for everyone.”

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

Universal Avionics Unveils AI Taxi Assist to Combat Runway Incursions

System leverages speech-to-text technology to help pilots safely navigate on the ground at airports

Universal Avionics introduced its new AI-powered taxi assist solution, the Universal Taxi Assist system that displays complex directions for pilots in real time.

Universal Avionics Unveils AI-powered Taxi Assist

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Company unveiled the AV-HSI (horizontal situation indicator) module and AV-APA (analog port adapter)

uAvionix Intros HSI, Autopilot Port Adapter Units

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Company said the new equipment can be more easily integrated with existing aircraft

PS Engineering Debuts Audio Panel Solutions at AEA Show

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

New product offers a portable solution for GPS testing in hangar environments

Viavi Introduces Portable GPS Simulator for Avionics Tests

Matt Thurber

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

SEND's new digital airport info broadcast is available at 148 airports

MyTIS Gets ATIS to Pilots in Text-message Format

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Metric highlights areas where jamming and spoofing are occurring

Aireon Tracks GPS Interference Via Satellite Detection

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Rebranding places Genesys product lines under Moog Avionics

Moog Introduces Larger, Touchscreen-enabled Displays

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

AEA International Convention & Trade Show 2025

In this article

Universal Avionics

More In Avionics

uAvionix Intros HSI, Autopilot Port Adapter Units

Company unveiled the AV-HSI (horizontal situation indicator) module and AV-APA (analog port adapter)

PS Engineering Debuts Audio Panel Solutions at AEA Show

Company said the new equipment can be more easily integrated with existing aircraft

Viavi Introduces Portable GPS Simulator for Avionics Tests

New product offers a portable solution for GPS testing in hangar environments

MyTIS Gets ATIS to Pilots in Text-message Format

SEND's new digital airport info broadcast is available at 148 airports

Aireon Tracks GPS Interference Via Satellite Detection

Metric highlights areas where jamming and spoofing are occurring

Moog Introduces Larger, Touchscreen-enabled Displays

Rebranding places Genesys product lines under Moog Avionics

PC-12 Pro Is First Aircraft Certified with G3000 Prime

All displays are touchscreens but Pilatus also added a cursor-control device

Piaggio Delivers First Avanti Evo with Max-Viz EVS

Missouri entrepreneur is the new owner of the Italian twin pusherprop airplane

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN