Seeing Machines signs new pilot training tech deal with L3Harris

Computer vision technology company Seeing Machines has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with aerospace and defence technology company L3Harris Technologies, it announced on Wednesday.

The AIM-traded firm said the memorandum framed the intent to enter into a global non-exclusive licence agreement, to collaborate to enhance pilot training technology with the company's dedicated precision eye-tracking system for flight crew training in the full flight simulator (FFS) environment.

It said the two companies would work together to implement the technology into simulators at L3Harris' training centres, and offer the integrated solution to L3Harris' customers into existing and future simulators.

Seeing Machines said it would collaborate on the design and integration of flight training customer solutions, and L3Harris would look to optimise the visualisation and analytic capability, to create the “optimum solution” for enhanced flight training.

Based on Seeing Machines' precision eye tracking capability, the system would help to advance flight simulator training by enabling instructors to better understand pilot behaviour, decision-making patterns, scanning patterns, and attention levels in real time and also recorded for debrief, the board explained.

It added that the timing of the arrangement was important, as the aviation industry started to recover from the impacts of Covid-19, noting that training and simulator-based activity would be a “major contributor” to the recovery process.

Seeing Machines and L3Harris had previously delivered the first fully-integrated eye-tracking system into a Boeing 787 FFS for a major Australian airline.

“We are very excited about our continued momentum with L3Harris, a world-leading and globally-recognised brand,” said Seeing Machines’ general manager of aviation, Patrick Nolan.

“L3Harris was the first major simulator original equipment manufacturer to fully support and look to understand the flight training benefits of integrated eye tracking.”

Nolan said that had led to a “great” collaboration and now, a “strong commercial channel” to build the partnership.

“In such an automated environment like today's cockpit, to understand pilot attention and have a mechanism to better develop pilot monitoring skills is a game changer.”

At 1003 BST, shares in Seeing Machines were up 1.25% at 4.3p.