Battelle, Aerobotix Demo Robotic Collision Avoidance Software Tool in Aircraft Component

Battelle and Aerobotix have demonstrated on a mock-up of a military aircraft’s air inlet duct a software platform designed to predict collisions of robotic systems with sensitive industrial components and parts.

Battelle said Tuesday its PathPlan software worked to protect the robotic platform and aircraft from potential collisions through prediction of the robot’s movement based on the interaction between the operator and the teach pendant during the demonstration.

The operator was able to slow and stop the robot’s motion within an S-shaped air inlet as PathPlan predicted possible collisions during the drill.

“If the skin of an aircraft is damaged during the coating phase, production must be stopped, the damage must be repaired, and the aircraft may require recertification,” said Chris Kolb, vice president of business development at Aerobotix.

“PathPlan avoided collisions in our tests, even when we actively tried to cause them.”

PathPlan is an autonomous motion planning tool that works to allow industrial robots to carry out tasks in complex applications and confined spaces while reducing programming time.