Chatham Rise Autopilot (2013)
The first known autopilot system was invented in 1912 by Lawrence Sperry. The aviation pioneer used gyroscopes to stabilize an aircraft’s pitch and roll, marking a groundbreaking moment in aviation history.
By World War II, autopilot technology was improving bomber accuracy, and from the 1950s onward, it saw widespread commercial adoption, reducing pilot workload and enhancing flight efficiency. Today, AI-driven autopilot systems can manage nearly all phases of flight, with future advancements pushing toward fully autonomous and unmanned aircraft—a prospect that also faces criticism within the industry due to safety concerns.
Using the technology as a metaphor for navigating our own actions, we can arrive at a similar conclusion. Living life on autopilot isn’t necessarily advisable, but switching to autopilot in certain situations certainly is. Take, for example, listening to today’s song. This divine psych-rock track, fittingly titled “Autopilot”, comes from Minneapolis-based space rock/shoegaze outfit Chatham Rise, and it’s a smooth ride best enjoyed without any distraction. So, switch to autopilot and see you on the other side ✈️
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