LAHOU KEITA CO-FOUNDER KEITAS SYSTEMS
‘‘ “I hope humanity will remember that two black, French women of Guinean origin invented the third black box of the airplane to strengthen the safety of planes in the world and
W save lives.”
W hen we think of innovation and technological advancement, minds often veer toward Silicon Valley’s bustling tech scene or the ever- evolving panorama of digital startups. But what about the aviation industry? Meet Lahou Keita, an aircraft inspector(pre-purchase inspections) and co-founder of Keitas Systems, who is set to revolutionize the aviation industry with a groundbreaking invention: The Ground Data Black Box® (GDBB) Tempeus®.
Ascending Heights The co-creation with her sister, Fatou Keita, a medical doctor, the Tempeus® takes a leap beyond traditional aviation boundaries. Regarded as the third black box of aviation, this technology enhances aircraft safety, airworthiness, and maintenance works follow-up, all managed remotely through a mobile application. It’s not just an incremental improvement; it’s a paradigm shift in flight safety.
“Our company is prospecting major airline companies and manufacturers to sign partnerships, to link aircraft with the third black box, to reinforce the safety of the international civil and military aviation, to increase the technicians’ productivity, and to reduce the planes’ carbon footprint,” shares Lahou.
NANTES, FRANCE
Impactful Innovation: Harnessing Technology for a Positive Future However, her pivotal breakthrough came when she and her sister co- invented the Ground Data Black Box® – Tempeus®. Lahou’s motivation In an era where technology and sustainability intersect, Lahou and Fatou’s to create this life-saving technology arose from a personal experience Tempeus® demonstrates the positive impact of emerging technology. when she forgot an essential safety task during maintenance. This led to a “Thanks to the Ground Data Black Box® Tempeus®, airline companies critical realization of the lack of a system to monitor ground safety data. reduce their planes’ carbon footprint, increase the productivity of the Her journey has been filled with significant challenges and obstacles, technical personnel by 40%, and issue less paper during the aircraft safety primarily rooted in the male-dominated aerospace industry’s inherent management, to protect the environment,” explains Lahou. bias. Encountering repeated friction and unfair treatment, she faced “The Ground Data Black Box ® Tempeus® is a greener technology,” she limited opportunities for growth and flourishing in her work. However, states. “It anticipates crashes remotely to save the passengers and the crew Lahou’s determination led her to co-found Keitas Systems with her sister, members’ lives. It is the first black box never lost, that opens remotely allowing her to break free from these constraints. while locating the other two. The Ground Data Black Box ® Tempeus® is a “The most critical issue facing women in the industry is the male- new safety and sustainable aviation standard.” dominated nature of aerospace,” says Lahou. “Men tend to do business and sign partnership contracts among themselves. To address this, we need to Breaking Barriers: Innovation in Action push for gender equality in aviation.” Lahou and Fatou’s contribution to the innovation ecosystem stretches beyond the walls of their company. The groundwork laid by Keitas Offering advice to other women making their way in their respective Systems has drawn international attention, with their innovation earning fields, Lahou stresses the importance of networking, partnership-building, them a place at the International Civil Aviation Organization’s innovation and ensuring financial stability. She also emphasizes the significance of workshops in 2020. The French Governement has officially introduced testing and validating their innovation before commercialization. in October 2022, The Ground Data Black Box ® Tempeus® to the When asked how her identity influenced her career, Lahou admits, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for the world. “Being a black woman in aerospace has limited my chances to succeed “I was very inspired by the movie ‘Hidden Figures,’ which featured the in big aerospace organizations.” Yet, she turned the tide by creating remarkable work of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary her own company and employing humor, empathy, and kindness to Jackson, who contributed to the aeronautical and space programs of the navigate challenges. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA),” Lahou recalls. Like these pioneering women before her, Lahou and Fatou’s work is Advancing Aerospace Opportunities for All carving out a new path in a historically male-dominated field. Apart from making strides in aviation safety, she has shown a profound commitment to promoting inclusivity and accessibility in the aviation and Peering into the Future space industry. Together with her sister, she co-founded AeroStart, an Lahou envisions a future of air taxi services, drone shipments, and inclusive hub aimed at promoting accessibility to aerospace employment autonomous flights with a single pilot – a future where the Ground Data and fostering talent globally. Black Box® Tempeus® stands as a new safety and sustainability standard. Lahou’s multi-faceted role extends to her involvement with the Her excitement for the potential of this technology radiates from her Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP), where she serves words: “I hope that one day, every plane in the world will be linked with as the Aerospace Professionals In Schools (APIS) Regional Coordinator. this third black box to strengthen the safety of international civil aviation. Her duties involve liaising for OBAP across France, Canada, Puerto Rico, If at least one life is saved thanks to this black box, I will be very happy England, and internationally. that my sister Fatou Keita, my family, and I have contributed to this feat.” With the strides Lahou and her sister Fatou are making, it’s clear they’re not just shaping the future of aviation. Lahou and Fatou’s paving the way The Legacy of the Keita Sisters for women in technology and contributing significantly to a safer and The Keita sisters are charting a new course in the annals of aviation more sustainable world. Their story is a testament to the fact that the history. Their invention is an emblem of resilience, intelligence, future is not just technological; it’s also undeniably female. and vision, embodying the fusion of technology, safety, and environmental consciousness.
Lahou shares: “I hope humanity will remember that two black, French women of Guinean origin invented the third black box of the airplane to strengthen the safety of planes in the world and save lives.”
Lahou found her way into the aviation industry through an lahou-keita-9523973a unconventional journey. Serving in various roles, such as a maintenance KeitasSystems aircraft project leader at Dassault Falcon Service, Ruag Aviation and a lahou.keita maintenance planning engineer at Jet Aviation, she climbed up in the Keitas_Systems industry through sheer dedication and a knack for understanding the lahoukeita intricacies of aircraft maintenance and safety. keitas.com
