Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an object detection unit for detecting the presence of foreign object debris, FOD, on a runway, taxiway or apron surface, the object detection unit comprising a processor, the object detection unit configured to: receive an image taken by a camera, the image comprising at least part of the runway surface, taxiway surface or apron surface, input the image to a zero-shot object detection model, wherein the zero-shot object detection model is configured to output co-ordinates of a bounding box around a candidate FOD in the image and determine a likelihood that FOD is present in the bounding box; obtain, from the zero-shot object detection model, co-ordinates of a bounding box around a candidate FOD in the image and a likelihood that the candidate FOD is foreign object debris; and determine if the likelihood exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: An aerodrome maintenance apparatus for monitoring runway and taxiway conditions and remotely reporting the status of the runway or taxiway. The apparatus comprises: a drive unit arranged to mount one or more rails to provide movement of the apparatus along the one or more rails; a detection unit comprising one or more sensors configured to detect one or more parameters of the runway or taxiway; and a communications unit arranged to transfer data derived from the detection unit from the apparatus to a remote server. The apparatus is arranged to advance along the one or more rails and transfer data representative of one or more parameters of the surface to a remote server.

Abstract: An aerodrome maintenance apparatus for monitoring runway and taxiway conditions and remotely reporting the status of the runway or taxiway. The apparatus comprises a drive unit operable to provide self-controlled rolling movement of the apparatus along a surface of a runway or taxiway of the aerodrome, a detection unit comprising one or more sensors configured to detect one or more parameters of the surface, and a communications unit comprising a transceiver arranged to transfer data derived from the detection unit from the apparatus to a remote server. The apparatus is arranged, in use, to move along the surface and transfer data representative of one or more parameters of the surface to a remote server.