As part of our series of Member interviews, we interviewed one of the founding Members of Air Tech Italy (ATI) and that is the company SITTI, a leading supplier providing advanced technical solutions for Voice Communication Systems (VCS) and associated equipment. We spoke to Communication and Innovation Manager Roberto Weger.
Hi Roberto, can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your company?
My name is Roberto Weger. I am the Communication and Innovation Manager of SITTI. In this role I am responsible for all communications at SITTI but I also focus on better understanding the market trends which results into me participating at steering committees from associations like EUROCAE to SESAR Joint Undertaking and presenting the impact as to what is decided into usable guidance for the teams at SITTI.
You are also part of the Air Tech Italy (ATI) Board, can you tell a bit more about your role?
SITTI is a founding company of ATI, the original idea was to create a critical mass to find synergies between companies by inspiring a real collaboration between members. Of course each member needs to focus first on its own business but we also need to find ways as to how we can address the market more effectively by working closely together, including joint approaches or the exchange of information. That is still my main reason for being part of the Board, creating successful partnerships between members. There is still a lot of work to do in explaining what each of the members do and that still remains one of the key focuses of the Board.
What is the focus of SITTI?
SITTI’s main focus is to be the one stop solution provider for the ATC, we want to give a complete solution for the handling and transmission of voice and data. We also have a strong focus on the supply of consoles (the physical benches of where controllers sit) and the integration of multifunctional systems, putting together different sources of information in one integrated system to allow controllers to access the information they need in an easy, intuitive, integrated and configurable way.
Can you tell me a bit more about recent successes?
Yes, we have been very proud of our recent successes in Europe and (very recently) emerging countries like Iraq, Vietnam, Brazil or Equatorial Guinea where we have implemented our voice and data communications solutions.
We are a global company and are extremely proud to illustrate this via a multitude of successful implementations. You can find back most of these success stories on the Air Tech Italy website.
How important is innovation in the ATC Communications world?
Innovation is very critical but then with a specific focus on the ATC world.
One example is related to the use of AI in many application areas, e.g. in the frame of voice recognition
Another aspect is related to virtual centres aiming at the decoupling of air traffic management (ATM) data services, such as flight data, radar, and weather information, from the physical controller working position (CWP). The aim is to enable greater flexibility when it comes to organizing air traffic control operations and, in doing so, seamless and more cost-efficient service provision to airlines and other airspace users. Related to that is the openness of the CWP from different vendors and the integration of any data service (thus including VCSs) in this.
Third aspect is the integration between VCS and radar. ATC Systems and VCS represent the base combination required for an effective and efficient control of the air traffic assigned to operators. Today there is no standard integration between them. I am the chairman of working group WG126 within EUROCAE focusing on the definition of a standard in this direction.
Do you see any future trends which will impact your world?
I think that we will see a further digitalization and a combination of roles. One example is the outcome of the current studies for the creation of digital assistants based on AI, capable of assisting pilots and possibly replacing the second pilot in a plane
Or the possible reduction of ATCOs covering the role of planner: while executive ATCOs will still be required for the proper management of the traffic within their area of responsibility (sector), planner ATCOs may be supported by an AI machine that will provide them with medium to long term forecasts on traffic density, trajectory problems, separation issues with higher accuracy and hence increased safety. A planner might therefore be capable of serving more executives.
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) is also another very promising theatre of innovation, although the market seems not to be very mature right now. Ground based pilots will be driving small aircrafts for goods delivery and passenger movements within a limited geographical area, thus requiring strong cooperation with ordinary ATC functions.
Many thanks Roberto.
Find out more on SITTI here.
