Newly-established Boeing NeXt organization to lead future commercial mobility solutions and bring flight closer to home

Press release

• Boeing, SparkCognition to shape the future of travel and transport  
• Collaboration to focus on next-generation airspace management for the safe integration of autonomous air vehicles

FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced it is collaborating with artificial intelligence (AI) technology leader, SparkCognition, to deliver unmanned aircraft system traffic management (UTM) solutions.

Boeing and SparkCognition will use artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies to track unmanned air vehicles in flight and allocate traffic corridors and routes to ensure safe, secure transportation. Through the collaboration, they will also provide a standardized programming interface to support package delivery, industrial inspection and other commercial applications. Boeing HorizonX Ventures previously invested in SparkCognition to support its development of a cognitive, data-driven analytics platform for the safety, security and reliability of data technology.

"Estimated by some analysts at $3 trillion, the urban aerial mobility opportunity will lead to the creation of the largest new market in our lifetimes," said Amir Husain, founder and CEO of SparkCognition. "The world's number one aviation leader partnering with the world's most innovative industrial AI company means that unparalleled experience in safety, innovation, scale, and reliability will be brought to bear to address this monumental opportunity."

To help advance UTM and next-generation travel, and evolve the transportation ecosystem, Boeing is standing up a new organization, Boeing NeXt. It will leverage Boeing's research and development activities and investments in areas such as autonomous flight and advanced propulsion, as well as focus on modeling smart cities and exploring new market opportunities to solve for the transportation challenges of the future.

"We're at a point in history where technological advances and societal trends are converging to demand bold solutions and a different way to travel," said Greg Hyslop, Boeing chief technology officer. "Boeing has the experience and expertise to safely and efficiently shape this emerging world of travel and transport. Through Boeing NeXt, we intend to build on our legacy of opening up new frontiers to move people and goods with proven technologies."

To reimagine how products and people move around the world, Boeing is pursuing technology development in emerging fields, including AI and hybrid and fully electric propulsion, that will help ensure safe, efficient flight. In a new video, the company outlines how these enablers will come together with digital systems to make the introduction and integration of autonomous and piloted air vehicles a reality.

"By taking a holistic approach that combines Boeing's strength in technological innovation with new business models and nontraditional partnerships, we are laying the foundation for the future commercial mobility ecosystem," said Steve Nordlund, who will lead Boeing NeXt in addition to his role as vice president of Boeing HorizonX. "We are shaping the physical and connectivity infrastructure to ensure new air vehicles safely operate in the global air space."

The Boeing NeXt portfolio will include the recently unveiled passenger-carrying hypersonic concept, as well as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles that will provide on-demand cargo transport and urban air travel in the future mobility ecosystem.

With award-winning machine learning technology, a multinational footprint, and expert teams focused on defense, industrial internet of things, and finance, SparkCognition builds AI systems to advance the most important interests of society. Its customers turn to SparkCognition to help them analyze complex data, empower decision making, and transform human and industrial productivity. Learn more about SparkCognition's AI applications and why the company was featured in CNBC's 2017 Disruptor 50 and recognized two years in a row on CB Insights AI 100 by visiting www.sparkcognition.com.

Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. A top U.S. exporter, the company supports airlines and U.S. and allied government customers in more than 150 countries. Boeing products and tailored services include commercial and military aircraft, satellites, weapons, electronic and defense systems, launch systems, advanced information and communication systems, and performance-based logistics and training.