Avionics
Rotor Tech's 'Cloud Pilot' Flies Uncrewed R22 Helo
Rotor Technologies hopes to apply its remotely-operated aircraft technology to aerial firefighting.
Robinson R22 helicopter takes off uncrewed at the FAA’s unmanned aircraft systems test site using Rotor Technologies "Cloud Pilot" operating system.
A modified Robinson R22 helicopter equipped with Rotor Technologies' "Cloud Pilot" operating system takes off uncrewed from the FAA’s unmanned aircraft systems test site on December 2. (Photo: Rotor Technologies)

Rotor Technologies made its first uncrewed helicopter flight on December 2 at the FAA’s unmanned aircraft systems test site using a modified Robinson R22. Founded by a team of MIT scientists, the company has created “Cloud Pilot,” an operating system that combines flight control algorithms, computer vision, and satellite communications that allow an uncrewed helicopter to be “teleoperated” from anywhere in the world.

The system uses commercial low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations—such as SpaceX’s StarLink—to transfer data over long distances with minimal delay. Proprietary virtual reality technology gives remote pilots better visibility than from in the cockpit, enabling night and low-visibility operations, according to the company.  

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