NASA has selected Cignus as part of a Phase I SBIR project for the development of an airport digital twin prototype geared around operational safety. Digital twins represent an emerging technology that uses virtual representations of airport environments to optimize, predict, and alert on key operational and safety metrics relevant to a variety of airport stakeholders. They use real-time data integration processes, simulation models based on existing infrastructure and processes, and data-driven forecasting and analytics processes to optimize operations, predict bottlenecks, conduct ‘what-if’ analysis, and improve operational safety and resilience. Managing safety across increasingly complex airport operational environments, particularly during reduced visibility and irregular operations scenarios, is a key function that will be integrated into the digital twin prototype.
Cignus will be working with NASA as well as several airport and airline stakeholders to define and development a prototype architecture and digital twin implementation that can address safety situational awareness issues in real-time. Using a ‘Safety-as-a-Service’ (SaaS) approach, the digital twin being developed will be deployable across a variety of airport ecosystems.
Using our team’s experience with digital twins, airport simulation and modeling, data analytics, and operational safety and efficiency, Cignus is excited to continue to grow our emerging technology R&D program with a partner such as NASA.