Cobots: Automating the Aviation Industry for Maximum Efficiency

Aerospace and Defense Review | Thursday, December 05, 2024

This article discusses how cobots are a technology that can automate the aviation industry, allowing for maximum efficiency and cost savings.

Fremont, CA: Collaborative robots are enabling much-needed automation in the aviation sector, serving as co-pilots, testers, and inspectors. More human-robot cooperation enhances aircraft development, testing, and maintenance as the aviation sector embraces sector 4.0 and automates aircraft operations. 

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Utilizing Robots in the Building of Aircraft

Although many procedures are now automated, many are still done by hand at aircraft manufacturers. Integrating collaborative robots into the aviation sector is more complicated than other sectors. Many aviation parts are built to order in smaller quantities, and work on aircraft must be done at different angles and with varying diameters of material and thicknesses.

Exoskeletons, or "wearable" robots, are being tested by several manufacturers to help people perform physically demanding tasks. These devices can facilitate labor-intensive tasks like riveting and moving and lifting large items. Collaborative robots currently accomplish some riveting, but competent workers wearing exoskeletons may fill in for them in areas they can't reach.

Robots also test aircraft systems. Human labor can be reduced by one to two hours when a robot can test cockpit control panels. The robot examines an aircraft's lights, switches, and LED display brightness. Because faultless panels require workers to spend time away from other tasks, this results in significant savings for the aircraft sector.

Collaborative Robots Functioning as Co-Pilots

Boeing is testing the UR3 collaborative robot arm as a robotic co-pilot. Aircraft will become even more automated and require fewer crew members due to the development of a transportable and expandable hardware and software toolset.

However, the cockpit automation system involves more than just the robotic arm. The system consists of mission software, flight control software, sensors, and a tablet that serves as a human interface. Thanks to the cooperative robot, the system can communicate with controls intended for human use in the cockpit. The automated cockpit system aims to maintain pilots operating efficiently, boosting aviation sector productivity.

One of its main advantages is the cockpit automation system's quick training on a new aircraft. The system may learn much about flight dynamics, aircraft operations, and general airmanship in less than a month. Furthermore, it may accomplish this without requiring access to the aircraft's avionics by using machine vision to visually acquire information.

The automation system will allow the pilot to interact with it through an easy-to-use interface. The efficiency of present flight operations will rise with the rearrangement of cockpit duties. Collaborative robots enable humans to do things best suited for them, while automation may take care of duties best suited for them.

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