Free Republic

New IAI "taxibot" to save airlines billions The taxibot tows planes from the passenger gate to the runway, so the planes needn't run their engines. 3 February 11 20:27, The Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) (TASE: ARSP.B1) passenger jet towing vehicle, capable of handling even the largest planes in service, has successful completed a series of trials. The "taxibot" tows planes from passenger gate to the runway, rendering it unnecessary for the planes to operate their jet engines. IAI estimates the cost of the taxibot at $3 million, and the company expects to sell 1,500 taxibots to airlines by 2020....