Rolls-Royce Is Building Snake Robots to Fix Jet Engines
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce is pushing forward with new technology that uses robots to inspect and repair its turbofan engines. The company says the robots fit into an overall vision — dubbed IntelligentEngine — of how the future of jet engines will be built using new digital technology, from concept to design to service.
Snakes on a Plane
Rolls-Royce is developing two different snake robots to both view and make repairs to jet engines. COBRA is a single snake-style robot linked to a virtual reality setup that fully immerses an engineer in a Virtual Reality experience, so they can see exactly what the robot is seeing inside the engine. With the COBRA system, engineers are able to don a VR headset and take a look at and repair any engine anywhere on the planet remotely. A full concept demonstration is scheduled for 2020.
Along with COBRA is FLARE. FLARE is a pair of snake-style robots that work together to make repairs to thermal coatings inside of jet engines. These repairs can be completed without ever removing the engine from the aircraft wing. That will save time and result in fewer maintenance delays, which is good for passengers and airlines.
This year, engineers were able to use this technology to successfully repair an engine in a laboratory.
Engine Infestation
The third robotic technology that Rolls-Royce is developing is called SWARM. These tiny robots have the ability to work together to reach places deep inside a turbofan engine. The idea behind this technology is to give an operator a real-time view of the inside of the engine, allowing the operator to view areas of interest or flag items that might need repair — all without dismantling the engine first.
In fact, the SWARM robots just completed a major milestone: Harvard University and the University of Nottingham, partners in the SWARM program, have reported the tiny robots are able to successfully crawl upside down on engine components.
While none of these technologies are ready to be deployed to your home airport just yet, these concepts give us a glimpse of what’s just around the corner when it comes to inspecting and repairing jet engines.
Featured photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
WELCOME OFFER: 80,000 Points
TPG'S BONUS VALUATION*: $1,650
CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 2X points on all travel and dining, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners
*Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. View our latest valuations here.
- Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Plus earn up to $50 in statement credits towards grocery store purchases within your first year of account opening.
- Earn 2X points on dining including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 80,000 points are worth $1,000 toward travel.
- With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories.
- Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12 for a minimum of one year with DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get up to $60 back on an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership through 12/31/2021, and get full access to their workout library through the Peloton app, including cardio, running, strength, yoga, and more. Take classes using a phone, tablet, or TV. No fitness equipment is required.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.