Brazilian Engineering Research Center for the Aerial Mobility of the Future

The paper describes the constitution of the Engineering Research Center for the Aerial Mobility of the Future (ERC-AMF) having ITA as the host institution, Embraer as the industrial partner, and researchers from the University of São Paulo and the University of Campinas. The objective of the ERC-AMF is the realization of R&D to contribute to overcoming challenges to the shaping of aerial mobility in the upcoming decades. These challenges arise from the necessity of reducing pollutant and noise emissions, and the need for increased efficiency of manufacturing processes, besides the trend of introducing in the market novel aircraft adapted for operation in urban environments and short-range travels. Five research areas are focused on the first operation phase of the Center: Machine Control for Electric Propulsion; Aeropropulsion Integration in Electric Aircraft; Methods for Decision Making in Autonomous Systems; Advanced Design for Metallic Additive Manufacturing; and Intelligent Aircraft Final Assembly. Each line will be developed by researchers from partner universities and engineers from Embraer. It is expected that the Center will contribute to the appropriation, by the Brazilian aeronautical industry, of scientific and technological knowledge generated, and, as a result, increase its preparedness to face challenges that shall be overcome in the process of shaping the aerial mobility of the upcoming decades.