A California developer of hydrogen technologies has received a patent for “robotic swarms” used in aerospace manufacturing, company officials announced.
A "Pivotal Moment”
The patent is the 15th overall for Santa Barbara-based H2 Clipper, the developer of its namesake zero-emission airship, as well as novel storage and pipeline solutions for hydrogen fuel.
The latest patent covers large-scale aerospace and aviation manufacturing — and represents a “pivotal moment” in the evolution of those processes, H2 Clipper officials said.
Replacing Aircraft Assembly Lines
H2 Clipper said that the technology would, in effect, use autonomous and semi-autonomous robotic swarms instead of conventional assembly lines. The robots would coordinate to build airframes and internal and structural components and conduct fastening, bonding, and inspection tasks.
The system also deploys generative AI and machine learning systems to correct and improve manufacturing processes.
Slashing Production Costs, Times
H2C officials said the swarms enable around-the-clock operation in a smaller footprint, which would, in turn, slash production time, costs, and errors.
Rinaldo Brutoco, the company’s founder and chief executive, said the approach could cut manufacturing timeframes by up to 60% and reduce costs by more than 40%.
Image credit: H2 Clipper, Inc.
