Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and mobility-as-a-service providing method

Abstract

To determine an appropriate schedule for airframe testing including flight tests.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus 10 comprises a control unit 11. The control unit 11 acquires weather forecast information for an airspace, where airframe testing including flight tests of an airframe 20 is to be conducted, and automatically determines a schedule for the airframe testing based on the weather forecast information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a MaaS providing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technique for performing a functional test of an electric drive system of an eVTOL (electric vertical take off and landing). For example, Patent Document 1 discloses performing a functional test of the electric drive system at the operating location of the eVTOL using an operation confirmation device that can be directly or indirectly connected to the electric drive system of the eVTOL. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-031008 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For aircraft such as eVTOLs, various aircraft tests are conducted to obtain, for example, an airworthiness certificate required for operation. However, flight tests conducted by actually flying the aircraft can be difficult to carry out depending on weather conditions, and weather conditions can affect the test schedule. In Patent Document 1, the operation confirmation device is fixed to the ground, and flight tests are not taken into consideration.

[0005] The purpose of the present disclosure, made in light of the above circumstances, is to determine an appropriate schedule for aircraft testing, including flight testing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing device that includes a control unit and manages an aircraft, and the control unit acquires weather forecast information for an airspace where aircraft testing, including flight testing of the aircraft, is conducted, and automatically determines a schedule for the aircraft testing based on the weather forecast information.

[0007] In an information processing method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an information processing device that manages an aircraft acquires weather forecast information for an airspace where aircraft testing, including flight testing of the aircraft, is conducted, and automatically determines a schedule for the aircraft testing based on the weather forecast information.

[0008] A MaaS providing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure provides MaaS using the above-described information processing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to determine an appropriate schedule for aircraft testing, including flight testing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an aircraft according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a first operation example of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a second operation example of the information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012] <Configuration of information processing system> The configuration of an information processing system according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The information processing system 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes an information processing device 10 and an aircraft 20.

[0013] The information processing device 10 is a server that manages the flying object 20. The information processing device 10 may also manage airports where the flying object 20 takes off and lands.

[0014] The air vehicle 20 is a subject of management by the information processing device 10, and is, for example, an eVTOL. The eVTOL has a cabin that is approximately the same size as a passenger car and can accommodate one or more occupants, and at least one of fixed wings and rotary wings for generating lift and thrust. Note that the air vehicle 20 is not limited to an eVTOL, and may also be an eSTOL (electric short take off and landing), a helicopter, a drone, or the like.

[0015] The aircraft 20 has at least one of the following flight modes: a "rotor mode" in which the aircraft flies forward using fixed wings, and a "vertical flight mode" in which the aircraft flies vertically using either rotors or fixed wings. If the aircraft 20 has fixed wings but no rotors, it can cruise with low power consumption using the fixed wings, but it is unable to take off and land vertically and often requires a runway for takeoff and landing. However, VTOL fixed-wing aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing have also been developed. If the aircraft 20 has rotors but no fixed wings, it can take off and land vertically and hover, but constantly rotating propellers consumes a lot of power and is less energy efficient. If the aircraft 20 has fixed wings and rotors, it can take off and land vertically using rotors and hover, as well as fly forward using fixed wings, eliminating the need for a runway.

[0016] <Configuration of information processing device> Next, the configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The information processing device 10 shown in Fig. 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an input unit 13, an output unit 14, and a communication unit 15.

[0017] The control unit 11 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The programmable circuit is, for example, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The dedicated circuit is, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The control unit 11 controls each unit of the information processing device 10 and executes processes related to the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0018] The storage unit 12 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), or a flash memory. The RAM is, for example, a static random access memory (SRAM) or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The ROM is, for example, an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). The flash memory is, for example, a solid-state drive (SSD). The magnetic memory is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage unit 12 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores information used in the operation of the information processing device 10 and information obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0019] The input unit 13 includes at least one input interface. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitance key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone. The input unit 13 accepts an operation to input data used for the operation of the information processing device 10. The input unit 13 may be connected to the information processing device 10 as an external input device instead of being provided in the information processing device 10. As the connection interface, any interface compatible with standards such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface, registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. may be used.

[0020] The output unit 14 includes at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display that outputs information as a video, or a speaker that outputs information as a sound. The display is, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or an organic EL (electro luminescent) display. The output unit 14 outputs data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10. The output unit 14 may be connected to the information processing device 10 as an external output device instead of being provided in the information processing device 10. As the connection interface, any interface compatible with standards such as USB, HDMI, Bluetooth, etc. may be used.

[0021] The communication unit 15 includes at least one wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the aircraft 20. The communication unit 15 receives data from the aircraft 20 and transmits data obtained by operation of the information processing device 10 to the aircraft 20. The communication unit 15 may be capable of communicating with any device other than the aircraft 20.

[0022] The control unit 11 acquires weather forecast information for the airspace where aircraft testing of the aircraft 20 will be conducted. Aircraft testing includes flight testing conducted by flying the aircraft 20 and testing conducted without flying the aircraft 20. Aircraft testing is, for example, testing conducted to obtain or renew an airworthiness certificate. The weather forecast information may include any information related to weather, such as weather, wind speed, temperature, fog, and lightning. The control unit 11 then automatically determines a schedule for the aircraft testing according to the weather indicated by the acquired weather forecast information. The control unit 11 updates the aircraft testing schedule every time a desired period of time has passed. The control unit 11 may output the determined aircraft testing schedule to the output unit 14.

[0023] <Aircraft configuration> Next, the configuration of an aircraft according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Aircraft 20 shown in Fig. 2 includes a control unit 21, a memory unit 22, an input unit 23, an output unit 24, a communication unit 25, a positioning unit 26, a detection unit 27, and a battery 28.

[0024] Like the control unit 11, the control unit 21 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The control unit 21 controls each part of the flying object 20 and executes processing related to the operation of the flying object 20.

[0025] Like memory unit 12, memory unit 22 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. Memory unit 22 stores information used in the operation of aircraft 20 and information obtained by the operation of aircraft 20.

[0026] Like input unit 13, input unit 23 includes at least one input interface. Input unit 23 accepts operations to input data used in the operation of aircraft 20. Instead of being provided in aircraft 20, input unit 23 may be connected to aircraft 20 as an external input device.

[0027] Like output unit 14, output unit 24 includes at least one output interface. Output unit 24 outputs data obtained by the operation of air vehicle 20. Instead of being provided in air vehicle 20, output unit 24 may be connected to air vehicle 20 as an external output device.

[0028] The communication unit 25 includes at least one wireless communication interface, similar to the communication unit 15. The communication unit 25 receives data from the information processing device 10 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the flying object 20 to the information processing device 10.

[0029] The positioning unit 26 includes a sensor or receiver for acquiring the position of the flying object 20 using autonomous navigation, electronic navigation, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), or the like. Sensors for autonomous navigation include, for example, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a compass, and an altimeter. The receiver for electronic navigation includes, for example, a receiver for receiving radio waves from terrestrial radio facilities such as a VHF omnidirectional radio range (VOR) and an Instrument Landing System (ILS). Furthermore, the GNSS receiver includes, for example, at least one of a Global Positioning System (GPS), a Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), BeiDou, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), and Galileo. The positioning unit 26 acquires position information of the flying object 20 and outputs the position information to the control unit 21. The position information includes altitude information of the flying object 20.

[0030] The detection unit 27 has one or more sensors or an interface with the sensors that detect the state or operation of each part of the flying object 20, and outputs information indicating the detection results of the sensors to the control unit 21. The sensors include sensors that detect the state or operation of, for example, a drive mechanism including a motor, the rotation speed of a propeller, the remaining charge of the battery 28, the temperature, the charging rate, etc. The sensors also include, for example, a wind speed sensor, a wind direction sensor, a temperature sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, an illuminance sensor, a rainfall sensor, a camera, etc. that detect the state of the external environment of the flying object 20.

[0031] The battery 28 supplies power to the drive mechanism of the flying vehicle 20. The battery 28 may be, for example, a lithium-ion battery, a solid electrolyte battery, or a nickel-metal hydride battery. The flying vehicle 20 may also be equipped with a power supply device that supplies power to the battery 28.

[0032] <Operation of information processing device> Next, a first operation example of the information processing device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0033] In step S101, the control unit 11 acquires weather forecast information for the airspace where an aircraft test, including a flight test, of the aircraft 20 will be conducted. The control unit 11 may acquire the weather forecast information via the communication unit 15 from a server that transmits the weather forecast information. The control unit 11 may also acquire the weather forecast information from a user via the input unit 13.

[0034] In step S102, the control unit 11 determines whether the acquired weather forecast information satisfies the predetermined weather conditions. If the control unit 11 determines that the weather forecast information satisfies the predetermined conditions (step S102—Yes), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S103. If the control unit 11 determines that the weather forecast information does not satisfy the predetermined conditions (step S102—No), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S104. Here, the “predetermined weather conditions” are conditions suitable for conducting a flight test. For example, the predetermined weather conditions may be conditions such as no rainfall, no snowfall, no thunderstorm, no fog, a wind speed below a threshold, and a temperature within a predetermined range. The memory unit 12 may store the predetermined weather conditions in advance. The control unit 11 may perform the determination process of step S102 by referring to the predetermined weather conditions stored in the memory unit 12.

[0035] In step S103, the control unit 11 determines that the flight test can be carried out.

[0036] In step S104, the control unit 11 determines that tests other than flight tests can be performed with priority over flight tests. Tests other than flight tests are performed on the ground, and may be performed indoors.

[0037] In step S105, the control unit 11 automatically determines a schedule for the aircraft test based on steps S103 and S104. The control unit 11 may automatically create a schedule for the aircraft test.

[0038] Next, a second operation example of the information processing device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. However, since the processes from step S101 to step S105 are the same as those shown in Fig. 3, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0039] In step S106, the control unit 11 acquires congestion information indicating the congestion level (predicted value) of the airspace where an aircraft test, including a flight test of the aircraft 20, is to be conducted, or the congestion level (predicted value) of the airport where the aircraft 20 is located. This congestion level may be a value predicted based on the congestion level within a predetermined period, or may be predicted using a model that has learned the congestion level (machine learning model). The control unit 11 may acquire the congestion information from a server that transmits the congestion information via the communication unit 15. The control unit 11 may also acquire the congestion information from a user via the input unit 13. Note that the processing of step S106 and the processing of step S101 may be performed in either order, or may be performed in parallel.

[0040] In step S107, the control unit 11 determines whether the congestion level indicated by the acquired congestion information is equal to or lower than a threshold. If the control unit 11 determines that the congestion level is equal to or lower than the threshold (step S107-Yes), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S103. If the control unit 11 determines that the congestion level exceeds the threshold (step S107-No), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S104. Note that the processing of step S107 and the processing of step S102 may be performed in either order, or may be performed in parallel.

[0041] <Modification> The control unit 11 may acquire aircraft information from the aircraft 20 via the communication unit 15. The control unit 11 may change the weather conditions in step S102 or the thresholds in step S107 based on the aircraft information, and determine a different schedule in step S105. The aircraft information may include information indicating whether the aircraft has fixed wings and whether it has rotary wings. For example, if the aircraft 20 has both fixed wings and rotary wings, the thresholds in step S107 may be set smaller because aircraft testing requires time.

[0042] In another example, at least one of the information processing device 10 and the aircraft 20 may be used to provide MaaS (Mobility as a Service), which is a service that utilizes mobility. In one example, the above processing procedure may be executed when providing a service (MaaS) using at least one of the information processing device 10 and the aircraft 20. In this case, the information processing method according to the above processing procedure is an example of a method for providing a service (MaaS) using at least one of the information processing device 10 and the aircraft 20.

[0043] As described above, the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment acquires weather forecast information for the airspace where aircraft testing, including flight testing of an aircraft, is conducted, and automatically determines the schedule for the aircraft testing based on the weather forecast information.

[0044] This configuration automatically determines the aircraft test schedule based on weather forecast information, reducing the adverse effects of weather conditions on the schedule and enabling the determination of an appropriate schedule. For example, it reduces the risk of canceling a flight test due to bad weather. Furthermore, by acquiring congestion information in addition to weather information, it becomes possible to create a flexible schedule, for example, prioritizing tests other than flight tests during congestion even when clear weather is forecast.

[0045] <Program> The functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by executing a program according to this embodiment on a processor serving as the control unit 11. That is, the functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the information processing device 10, thereby causing the computer to function as the information processing device 10. That is, the computer functions as the information processing device 10 by executing the operations of the information processing device 10 in accordance with the program.

[0046] The program can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium include a flash memory, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a ROM. The program can be distributed by selling, transferring, or lending a portable medium, such as an SD (Secure Digital) card, a DVD (digital versatile disc), or a CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory), on which the program is stored. The program can also be distributed by storing the program in a server's storage and transferring it from the server to another computer. The program can also be provided as a program product.

[0047] A computer temporarily stores a program stored on a portable medium or transferred from a server in its main storage device. The computer then reads the program stored in the main storage device with a processor and executes processing in accordance with the read program. The computer may also read the program directly from a portable medium and execute processing in accordance with the program. The computer may also execute processing in accordance with the received program each time a program is transferred from a server to the computer. Processing may also be executed through a so-called ASP (application service provider) type service that achieves functions simply by issuing execution instructions and obtaining results, without transferring a program from a server to the computer. A program is information used for processing by a computer and includes anything equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct instruction to a computer but has properties that define computer processing falls under the category of "something equivalent to a program."

[0048] Some or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 may be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit 11. In other words, some or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 may be realized by hardware.

[0049] Although the above-described embodiments have been described as representative examples, various modifications and changes are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, with regard to the constituent blocks or processing steps described in the embodiments, multiple blocks or processing steps may be combined into one, or one block or step may be divided into multiple blocks. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Information Processing Systems 10. Information processing equipment 11 Control section 12 Storage section 13 Input section 14 Output section 15 Communications Department 20 Flying Objects 21 Control section 22 Memory section 23 Input section 24 Output section 25 Communications Department 26 Positioning unit 27 Detection unit 28 Battery

Claims

1. An information processing device that includes a control unit and manages an aircraft, The control unit Obtaining weather forecast information for the airspace in which aircraft testing, including flight testing of the aircraft, is conducted; an information processing device that automatically determines a schedule for the aircraft test in accordance with the weather forecast information;

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines that a flight test can be carried out if the weather forecast information satisfies a predetermined condition, and determines that a test other than the flight test can be carried out with priority over the flight test if the weather forecast information does not satisfy the predetermined condition.

3. The control unit acquire congestion information indicating the degree of congestion in the airspace or the airport where the aircraft is located; The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the schedule for the aircraft test is automatically determined in accordance with the weather forecast information and the congestion information.

4. An information processing device that manages the aircraft, Obtaining weather forecast information for the airspace in which aircraft testing, including flight testing of the aircraft, is conducted; An information processing method that automatically determines a schedule for the aircraft test in accordance with the weather forecast information.

5. A method for providing MaaS (Mobility as a Service) using the information processing device according to claim 1.

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