Climbing robots that inspect aircraft before departure.
This could become a reality in the near future.
Work is currently underway at Luleå University of Technology to try and replace human inspectors.
Today, aeroplanes are inspected manually by people using sensors. If something suspected to be damage is found, the inspector has to climb onto the aeroplane to inspect the damage more closely.
According to George Nikolakopoulos, professor of robotics and automation, this work is a time-consuming and costly process. Now his research group at Luleå University of Technology has successfully carried out test inspections on a Boeing 737 using a climbing robot. George Nikolakopoulos now believes that robots may take over aircraft inspection from humans within one to two years.
The robot will be able to inspect the aircraft autonomously without human control. It will do so faster than humans, and it will be easier and safer.
The hope is that robots will not only be able to inspect aircraft but also repair any damage.
– Within five years, I believe robots will be able to carry out those types of tasks too, says George Nikolakopoulos.
The climbing robot project is part of the European Commission's Horizon 2020 project. The aim is to develop the inspection of composite aircraft bodies.
Source: TT
