GE Aerospace Develops Robot ‘Worm’ That Crawls Into Plane Engines For Inspection

In the realm of aerospace innovation, GE Aerospace has unveiled a new addition to its arsenal: the ‘Sensiworm’. A unique creation that might just change how we inspect and potentially repair jet engines.

This worm-like soft robot isn’t your typical gadget; it’s designed to serve as an invaluable ally for service operators, offering an extra layer of surveillance when scrutinizing the internal components of aircraft. Its mission is clear: minimize downtime and conduct inspections with the utmost precision while keeping repairs in its purview for the future.

GE draws an interesting parallel between the Sensiworm’s role in aerospace engineering and the contributions of soft robotics to minimally invasive surgeries. Much like its medical counterpart, this robot exhibits a remarkable ability to crawl across engine parts, gracefully maneuver around obstacles, access hard-to-reach areas, all thanks to its trusty suction-cup feet. It even measures the thickness of thermal barrier coatings.

But the Sensiworm doesn’t stop at inspection. It’s equipped to detect gas leaks and is a live conduit of video footage and real-time data, providing crucial insights into the condition of engine components.

The Sensiworm emerged through SEMI Flex Tech, a collaboration funded by the US Army that champions the advancement of flexible electronics. As for its deployment timeline and current development stage, the specifics remain shrouded in uncertainty.

[via Simple Flying and Popular Science, screenshot via GE Aerospace]