Universal Avionics introduced an AI-powered taxi assist solution yesterday at AEA 2025 to address the persistent safety challenge during aircraft ground operations at airports. With the new product, the company aims to reduce the 1,500 runway incursions that occur each year in the U.S.

According to Universal engineer Thomas Smith, the “new solution…has the potential to eliminate errors on the airfield, ultimately saving lives.” He noted that recent statistics show nearly five runway incursion incidents occur daily nationwide.

The Universal Taxi Assist system leverages speech-to-text technology designed for noisy environments. It analyzes verbal air traffic control instructions, processes them, and turns them into intuitive visual directions displayed on flight deck displays. By identifying instructions specific to an aircraft’s call sign or registration number, the system allows pilots to focus on assigned tasks and limits distractions.

Key features include verification of pilot readback against ATC confirmation, graphical displays with runway indicators and warnings on navigation maps, and logged clearance instructions that provide status updates at each step of the taxi process. The system dynamically displays complex directions in real time, so pilots do not need to rely on memory or handwritten notes.

Smith said the technology is trained with aviation-specific keywords and flight workflows, using location data to determine valid pathways based on each airport’s configuration. The processed information is displayed on Universal’s flight deck and head-up displays.

“Taxi Assist brings significant safety improvements and reduces crew workload by making it easier to follow taxi and clearance instructions,” Smith explained. He described the product as part of Universal Avionics’ “vision of a future without accidents, beginning here with runway incursions, and extending into future applications that enhance flight safety for everyone.”