GE Aerospace hasintroducedSensiworm, a robot designed to assist human service operators working within aircraft engines. Sensiworm, or Soft ElectroNics Skin-Innervated Robotic Worm, has the potential to give operators the ability to conduct complete inspections without the need for engine disassembly.
Sensiworm resembles an inchworm, operates autonomously, and possesses its own onboard power, computational, and pressure resources. Demonstrations of the robot showcased its ability to search for corrosion and cracks as it navigates the curves and crevasses of jet engine parts.
Sensiworm is deployed through an engine’s turbine inlet or exhaust, assisting existing borescope technologies used for inspection and data collection.
According to Deepak Trivedi, a principal robotics engineer for GE Aerospace Research, Sensiworm’s soft, compliant design would allow it to inspect an entire jet engine and transmit real-time data and video of the condition of engine parts. Trivedi added that the robot can measure the thickness of a thermal barrier coating, a protective layer that shields components from heat.
Sensiworm’s demonstrations have primarily focused on engine inspections, but Trivedi said GE Aerospace is enhancing the robot’s capabilities to carry out repairs as well.GE Aerospace collaborated with SEMI Flex Tech, UES Inc., and Binghamton University on the development of Sensiworm.
Image Credit: GE Aerospace
