In 2019, Haofeng (Hector) Xu, a PhD student at MIT’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, began learning to fly helicopters. His experiences with various risks in the cockpit led to his motivation to make helicopter flight safer. Subsequently, in 2021, he established Rotor Technologies, Inc. This autonomous helicopter company aims to retrofit existing helicopters with sensor technology and software, with the goal of removing the pilot from potentially dangerous flights and providing a broader spectrum of uses for aviation.
Large commercial passenger planes are considerably safe, but each year fatalities occur from crashes of small private aircraft, including helicopters, in the U.S. Xu developed Rotor’s autonomous machines to resolve safety issues by enabling the aircraft to fly faster and carry heavier loads than battery-powered drones. Adopting a trusted, long-standing helicopter model has expedited the company’s commercial progress. The autonomous aircraft have already undertaken demonstration flights at their headquarters in New Hampshire. They are expected to be available for purchase soon.
Rotor’s strategy is to focus on autonomy, a specialty they believe will significantly improve safety and accessibility in vertical flights. This decision sets them apart from other companies that are attempting to build new vehicles while simultaneously developing new technologies and materials.
In addition to creating Rotor, Xu has retained his position as a research affiliate in MIT’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, which has significantly influenced his vision for the future of aviation. He maintains a close connection with MIT, recruiting numerous MIT affiliates into his company and establishing a robust tech team, mainly composed of MIT PhDs.
To start Rotor, Xu enlisted the support of the MIT Venture Mentoring Service, MIT’s Industrial Liaison Program, and the National Science Foundation’s New England Innovation Corps program. He chose to work with an established aircraft from the Robinson Helicopter Company rather than build a new model, utilizing their existing supply chain and aircraft overhaul services.
Rotor developed a fly-by-wire system constituting computers and motors that interact with the helicopter’s flight control features. It further improved the helicopters by adding advanced communication tools and sensors, most of which were adapted from the autonomous vehicle industry. The startup aims to fully remove pilots from the cockpit and instead base the aircraft operations on the remote pilot paradigm.
The Rotor startup is employing a careful approach to automation, maintaining the presence of highly skilled human experts for decision-making and dealing with unexpected scenarios. They have launched a cloud-based supervision system called Cloudpilot for 24/7 flight monitoring and chosen to initiate flights in remote areas to minimize the risk to humans.
Rotor’s aircraft, named the R550X, is designed to bypass the restrictions that come with small aircraft and inclement weather, carrying up to 1,212 pounds, achieving over 120 miles per hour, and equipped with auxiliary fuel tanks to remain airborne for extended periods. Its capabilities are anticipated to resolve safety and efficiency issues with existing aircraft and spur new scientific missions.
Plans for the coming year include small-scale sales of their aircraft with an eventual increase to production of 50 to 100 aircraft annually. Xu hopes Rotor’s future will involve transporting humans and that it will play a crucial role in the transition towards safer, more autonomous aircraft.
