'pilotless' originates from the English word 'pilot' combined with the suffix '-less', where 'pilot' meant 'one who steers a ship or aircraft' and '-less' indicates 'without'.

'pilot' changed from the Old French word 'pilote' and eventually became the modern English word 'pilot'.

Initially, 'pilot' meant 'one who steers a ship', but over time it evolved to include aircraft, and 'pilotless' now refers to vehicles without a human pilot.