The Lockheed Martin 'Spider' Can Find and Fix Pinhole Leaks on Blimps
Hayley McGlone — July 27, 2016 — Unique
The Lockheed Martin 'Spider' is a robot that is capable of detecting and repairing pinhole leaks on hybrid airships. The Spider is meant to make the inspection process of the blimp's inflatable envelope more time-efficient and more accurate in detecting any tiny pinhole leaks.
Spider stands for "Self-Propelled Instrument for Damage Evaluation and Repair." The robot is capable of performing inspections while the aircraft is fully inflated and is far more accurate than any inspections done by humans. The robot uses LED lights and a camera to detect pinhole leaks and the Spider will re-position itself to be able to repair the leak. Photos of the pinhole leak before and after the patch are sent to a server for human inspection to double check the patch.
Spider stands for "Self-Propelled Instrument for Damage Evaluation and Repair." The robot is capable of performing inspections while the aircraft is fully inflated and is far more accurate than any inspections done by humans. The robot uses LED lights and a camera to detect pinhole leaks and the Spider will re-position itself to be able to repair the leak. Photos of the pinhole leak before and after the patch are sent to a server for human inspection to double check the patch.
Trend Themes
1. Robotic Leak Detection - The emergence of robots like the Lockheed Martin 'Spider' is revolutionizing the process of detecting and repairing pinhole leaks on blimps.
2. Efficient Inspection Automation - The use of robotics in blimp inspections is streamlining the inspection process, making it more time-efficient and accurate.
3. Enhanced Repair Capabilities - Robotic repair systems like the 'Spider' are improving the accuracy of repairing pinhole leaks on hybrid airships.
Industry Implications
1. Aerospace - The aerospace industry can leverage robotic leak detection technologies to enhance maintenance and repair processes for airships.
2. Robotics - The robotics industry can capitalize on the demand for efficient inspection and repair automation systems in various sectors, including blimp repair.
3. Transportation - The transportation industry, particularly the airship sector, can benefit from advancements in robotic leak detection and repair capabilities to ensure safer and more reliable operations.
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