Garmin Autoland wins prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy

Rhea-AI Summary

Garmin has been awarded the prestigious 2020 Robert J. Collier Trophy for its groundbreaking Autoland system, recognized as the first certified autonomous technology that can safely land an aircraft without human intervention. The system provides critical safety enhancements, especially during emergencies such as pilot incapacitation. Several aircraft have received Type Certification for Autoland, including Piper Aircraft's M600 SLS and Cirrus Aircraft's Vision Jet. The award highlights Garmin's commitment to innovation in aviation safety.

Positive

• Awarded the 2020 Robert J. Collier Trophy for Autoland, enhancing Garmin's reputation in aviation safety.
• Autoland is the first certified system to autonomously land an aircraft in emergencies, potentially saving lives.
• Three aircraft achieved Type Certification with Autoland in 2020, demonstrating successful implementation.

Negative

• None.

Garmin^® International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), today announced that Garmin Autoland has been awarded the 2020 Robert J. Collier Trophy for the world’s first certified autonomous system designed to activate during an emergency to safely fly and land an aircraft without human intervention¹.

Garmin Autoland has been awarded the 2020 Robert J. Collier Trophy for the world’s first certified autonomous system designed to activate during an emergency to safely fly and land an aircraft without human intervention. (Photo: Business Wire)

The Collier Trophy has been the benchmark of aerospace achievement for over a century and is awarded annually by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) to recognize “the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving performance, efficiency, safety in air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year.” The seven nominees for 2020 included the Bell V-280 Valor, SpaceX Falcon 9 & Dragon 2, among others.

“The Garmin Autoland system marks a significant improvement in civil aviation,” affirmed NAA Chairman Jim Albaugh. “Its ability to take over an airplane with a disabled pilot and land it safely will save many lives in the future. It’s a remarkable technical achievement and clearly merits the Collier Trophy.”

“Autoland began as a simple exploration to develop automation technology for general aviation aircraft,” said Cliff Pemble, Garmin president and CEO. “This exploration resulted in the first automated system that can safely fly and land an aircraft in an emergency without human intervention. It is a tremendous honor for Autoland to be recognized as one of the greatest achievements in aviation history. We owe this accomplishment to the many Garmin associates who dedicated themselves to creating this game-changing aviation safety technology.”

Part of the Garmin Autonomí™ family of autonomous safety-enhancing technologies, Autoland is the world’s first certified system of its kind. In the event of an emergency, such as pilot incapacitation, a passenger can activate Autoland with a simple press of a dedicated button, should the pilot no longer be able to perform their duties as pilot in command. Autoland can also activate automatically if the system detects no pilot interaction. Once activated, the system immediately calculates a flight path to the most suitable airport and runway, while avoiding terrain and adverse weather, initiates a stabilized approach and automatically lands the aircraft.

In 2020, three aircraft received Type Certification with Garmin Autoland. Piper Aircraft received the first FAA Type Certification of Garmin Autoland on the M600 SLS in May 2020. In July 2020 DAHER completed the first European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification and the second FAA certification of Autoland on the TBM 940. Cirrus Aircraft’s Vision Jet, the 2017 Collier Trophy winner, was the first jet aircraft certified with Autoland in August 2020.

Garmin is committed to continued innovation in the industry and a mission to create new and exciting possibilities for air travel in the future, expanding on the history of other Robert J. Collier Trophy winners. Past recipients of the Collier Trophy include Orville Wright, Neil Armstrong and the Apollo 11 team, Cirrus Aircraft for the whole airframe parachute system (CAPS) on the Vision Jet, Lockheed’s Skunk Works and the F-117A, the Boeing 747, the NASA Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Project Team, Cessna Aircraft Company and the Citation X Design Team and many more historical achievements that progressed aviation for future generations.

The Collier Trophy is permanently on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The formal Collier Trophy award ceremony will take place later this year. For more information about the NAA, including a list of previous recipients, visit www.naa.aero.

For additional information about Autoland and the Garmin Autonomí family of autonomous safety-enhancing technologies, visit www.garmin.com/Autonomi.

Garmin’s aviation business segment is a leading provider of solutions to OEM, aftermarket, military and government customers. Garmin’s portfolio includes navigation, communication, flight control, hazard avoidance, an expansive suite of ADS-B solutions and other products and services that are known for innovation, reliability, and value. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at garmin.com/newsroom, contact the Media Relations department at media.relations@garmin.com, or follow us at facebook.com/garminaviation, twitter.com/garminaviation, instagram.com/garminaviation, youtube.com/garminaviation, or linkedin.com/company/garmin.

1. See Garmin.com/ALuse for Autoland system requirements and limitations.

About Garmin International, Inc.

Garmin International, Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin is a registered trademark and Autonomí is a trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.

All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:

This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2020, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at https://www.garmin.com/en-US/company/investors/earnings/. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210603005889/en/

FAQ

What is Garmin Autoland and why was it awarded the 2020 Robert J. Collier Trophy?

Garmin Autoland is the first certified autonomous system designed to safely land an aircraft without human intervention during emergencies. It received the 2020 Robert J. Collier Trophy for its significant contribution to aviation safety.

What aircraft received Type Certification for Garmin Autoland?

In 2020, the Piper M600 SLS, DAHER TBM 940, and Cirrus Vision Jet were among the first aircraft to receive Type Certification for Garmin Autoland.

How does Garmin's Autoland system operate during an emergency?

The Autoland system can be activated by a passenger or automatically if it detects no pilot interaction. It then calculates a flight path to the nearest suitable airport and lands the aircraft safely.

Who recognizes the Robert J. Collier Trophy?

The Robert J. Collier Trophy is awarded annually by the National Aeronautic Association to honor significant achievements in aeronautics and astronautics.

What is the importance of the Collier Trophy in aviation?

The Collier Trophy is a prestigious award recognizing the greatest achievements in aviation, aimed at improving performance, efficiency, and safety in air vehicles.