The planes of the future might not have pilots

Merlin Labs is carrying test flights with its autonomous pilot technology using this Dynamic Aviation King Air plane. Photo: AFP

American startup Merlin Labs specialises in developing software solutions for autonomous piloting in aviation. It plans to equip a small fleet of jets so that they can fly without the assistance of a real pilot. Could this be the beginning of 100% autonomous commercial aircraft?

After raising significant funding, Merlin Labs has concluded a deal with Dynamic Aviation to test and hopefully one day put into service its unmanned aircraft technology, capable of transporting goods as well as passengers.