Lufthansa Technik Will Use Robots to Scan and Fix a Planes Exterior

Lufthansa Technik, an arm of Lufthansa Airlines, has filed patent applications for a new scarf joining robot that it says will significantly improve repair procedures for structures made of fibre-reinforced composites (FRCs). The robot, which was developed through LHT's Composite Adaptable Inspection and Repair (CAIRE) project, is mounted on an aircraft component using suction cups. The robot's specially developed software scans and diagnoses damage, identifies the surface and calculates the scarf joint

's form and a milling path before cutting out the damaged material. Once this is complete, technicians can cut repair layers to size, insert them into the 3D scarfing surface the robot created and finish by gluing and curing the newly inserted part. The traditional process for diagnosing and repairing damage to FRC-based fuselage and wing structures requires more time and effort than the new automated process, so Lufthansa says targeted use of the robot will result in time and cost savings. The company also claims the robot will significantly increase quality by allowing for brand new repair geometries.

Emerson Has Made Multiple Bids For Rockwell as it Chases Automation Dream

Rockwell Automation has been the subject of numerous bids by fellow U.S. industrial powerhouse Emerson Electric, it emerged in late October. The latest and highest bid of $215 per share valued Rockwell at around $27.6 billion and at a Price to Earnings ratio of around 30x 2018 consensus full year earnings. Milwaukee-based Rockwell, which makes controls and automation software for factories, said Emerson made the $215 a share cash-and-stock offer on 10th October. The approach came after it rejected a $200 a share offer from Emerson in August. The move by Emerson is an attempt to reshape the U.S. industrial equipment industry as it faces rapid change from new technologies including advanced robotics, 3D printing, connected devices and new techniques for processing and analysing data. Rockwell describes itself as provider of smart automation, offering equipment, software and services for industries including car manufacturing, food, oil and gas. Emerson is also a leader in industrial automation, serving a similar range of markets.

Waymo’s Autonomous Taxi Fleet Will Now Operate Without a Safety Driver

The autonomous ride-hailing race took another dramatic step recently as Waymo which is owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet announced that very soon its Uber-like ride hailing service won’t have a safety driver in the front seat. Waymo has a fleet of Chrysler Pacific minivans fitted with self-driving technology which members of the public can start using in a few months. Passengers will initially be accompanied in the back seat by a Waymo employee, but will eventually travel alone in the robotic car. The service will first be available to those who are already part of the company’s public trial already under way in Phoenix. The service marks a major step forward in the development and roll-out of fully autonomous vehicles. While self-driving car companies have routinely tested their vehicles on public roads, they usually have a human sitting behind the wheel ready to take over should the autonomous technology fail. Waymo has been testing the automated Chrysler Pacifica minivans without a human backup since 19 October in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler, Arizona, which has no restrictions on self-driving cars.