Rolls-Royce is currently working on special ‘robot cockroaches’ to find and fix problems with aircraft engines. That said the engine manufacturer during the Farnborough International Airshow, according to CNBC.
The mini robots are approximately 15 millimeters in size and will be equipped with cameras and 3D scanners. By crawling into the engine, the gadget can detect possible damage to an aircraft engine without having to open the engine.
When the damage is discovered, the mini-robots can automatically perform a repair. After the repair, the cockroaches crawl out again. They can also be ‘washed out’ by activating the motor.
Snakes
The motorcycle manufacturer is also working on a hose robot that can easily push out obstacles in a motorcycle due to its shape. A second hose could then cover possible holes in the engine.
It is not yet known when exactly Rolls-Royce wants to make the robot cockroaches available. A third robot, which can be attached to a compressor for specific repairs, should be available within two years.