The AAIB said that the captain had inspected the right main landing gear before the flight and had not noticed any abnormalities.

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The pilots then use their usual controls to steer with the nose wheel (which in turn steers the TaxiBot) and to brake with the main landing gear.

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Automated functions are intended to be linked with small electric drives attached to the main landing gear, which would provide power to move planes instead of relying on engines that burn expensive jet fuel.

WSJ: Honeywell Tests Autopilots for the Tarmac