Because neither the Boeing 737, nor any other airliner has a rear window, nor the ability for the pilots to see/keep the main wheels straddling the centreline. As such you'd still need a headset person to guide the aircraft and a road man too who is not typically in communication with the flight deck but who can still signal the tug/headset person, so you might as well use a tug if you've going to do that.

Not only this, the headset person is also the 'engine start master' for the pushback procedure, so once the aircraft is at the TRP, they are making sure the engines don't have a hot start or fire. Not saying it wouldn't have any use at all, especially at some airports, but it's not practical for most airports, where the turn immediately following leaving the stand can be very tight.

It's also worth noting that the test/demo is done in dry weather; I seriously doubt that the thing would get an aircraft moving in very wet or icy conditions, particularly when there is de-icing fluid on the stand as there invariably is when conditions are poor. I'd like to see that system trying to get fully-loaded Triple Seven or A330 rolling too.

Modern aircraft are fitted with cameras so pilots can monitor the surroundings and communicate with groundcrew during backup.  

Also electric motors are getting more powerful and tractioncontrol could be implemented. Fuelsaving is on top priority of every airline I

would think.

Aircraft are not fitted with so many cameras and screens to monitor these that this would be an adequate alternative to someone outside who is looking. Nor are these of a sufficient resolution to be able to spot all dangers. Crews are only in communication with the headsetter, not the road man, nor are they in communication with all other vehicles and personnel around the ramp, this is why there is a road man. It's impressive as a technical capability, but its just not a practical system, if it was, it would be in use.

Fuelsaving might be the top priority of the airline, but safety is the top priority of me and everyone else on the ramp when I'm working around aeroplanes, so stuff their desire to save money. 🤣

Edited June 21, 20196 yr by Chock

Trust me, if airlines thought this was a real cost saver and could help eliminate jobs they'd be using it. There are just too many situations where it's not just a straight pushback. One of the gates I pushed back on at DFW required an S turn to get the aircraft out. It was tricky enough with a tug driver and wing walkers. Impossible with this system.

 

So how about sensors in the taxiways....not giving up yet😁

1 minute ago, nonflyingdutchman said:

So how about sensors in the taxiways....not giving up yet😁

Again, how good are sensors going to be under slush, snow and ice?

Extra cost over installing and maintaining another electrical system under the tarmac.

It's a nice idea on paper, but the practicalities of WheelTug just aren't there.

Yet another piece of technology to put some people out of work.  What will people do when robots and labor saving devices do everything for us?  Buy groceries with food stamps and live in government subsidized housing and sit at home watching television all day?  The only real jobs that will be left maintaining robots (until they learn to maintain each other) and the entertainment industry providing us with new television programs to dumb our minds with so we don't care that we have become non-productive human beings.  Computers are already writing novels.

Watching the latest TV commercials for the new pickup trucks they now have power tailgates.  I have owned pickup trucks and it wasn't that hard to pull the latch and lower the tailgate by hand.  Of course in the non too distant future we won't own vehicles.  Self driving vehicles will pick us up and deliver us where we want to go.  That is if we have anywhere to go by then.

Noel  (The Modern Luddite)

1 hour ago, nonflyingdutchman said:

Modern aircraft are fitted with cameras so pilots can monitor the surroundings and communicate with groundcrew during backup. 

What world are you living in. The only ones I know of with a camera are the Boeing 777-300ER, Airbus A340-600, I think the Airbus A380, and Lufthansa's Boeing 747-8s. Even then, those would be for taxi guidance rather for monitoring surrounding areas. You wouldn't really be able to see what's behind you.

Sooo, possible for modern electric cars but not for state of the art aircraft😔

Mercedes Trucks are getting cameras instead of mirrors (should be fun when one goes on the blink)

11 minutes ago, nonflyingdutchman said:

Sooo, possible for modern electric cars but not for state of the art aircraft😔

You just lost all credibility with that comment.

There's a whole lot of difference in moving a 200 ton aircraft and a 1 ton car. All the costs have to be considered  such as additional capacity from ground power to recharge the units as well as their weight and additional battery weight. Running an apu would have its own cost factor which reduces the savings if there any with this product. 

Interesting, however. 

Everything is going to be VSTOL automated eventually. This is a waste of money. Hell, you can't even get South Worst to run the APU too cool the cabin in 100 degree plus days in PHX. You think they'd go for this?

Edited June 21, 20196 yr by Camsdad13
add on

2 hours ago, birdguy said:

Yet another piece of technology to put some people out of work.  What will people do when robots and labor saving devices do everything for us?  Buy groceries with food stamps and live in government subsidized housing and sit at home watching television all day?  The only real jobs that will be left maintaining robots (until they learn to maintain each other) and the entertainment industry providing us with new television programs to dumb our minds with so we don't care that we have become non-productive human beings.  Computers are already writing novels.

You're really living up to your signature, huh?

 

As humans have done for tens of thousands of years, we will adapt and overcome. May I invite you to crack open your favorite beverage and toast to progress.