Project description
AI to assist manual operations in the aircraft industry
The aircraft industry should adopt innovative technologies to achieve more efficiency and quality in production and eliminate the risk of failures due to manual operations. Emerging technologies such as artificial neural networks in AI, mixed and augmented reality, and collaborative robotics that already feature in other industries can support the aircraft sector to innovate assembly and quality control operations and improve productivity. The EU-funded AssAssiNN project will develop and confirm a robust multifunctional assembly cell capable of supporting manual operations such as installation of typical fuselage systems and equipment. The solution will increase structural integration, reduce overall cost and structural weight, increase multifunctional materials, restrict environmental impact and extend aircraft lifetime.
Objective
In today’s workplace, the increasing use of new technologies such as Artificial Neural NeIn today’s workplace, the increasing use of new technologies such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Mixed and Augmented Reality (MR/AR) and Collaborative Robotic (Co-Robot) is helping to improve the productivity of many industries. Therefore, a future aircraft factory would be incomplete if essential technologies are not considered. It is, therefore, necessary to innovate the assembly and quality control processes of aerostructures taking advantage of the new support of these new technologies. This will help to achieve higher efficiency and quality in aircraft production and to reduce the risk of failures due to manual activities to zero.
The main objective of the ASSASSINN project is to develop and validate a robust multifunctional assembly cell able to assist manual activities as the installation of typical fuselage systems and equipment, including cabling through the cabin structures or the application of sealant.This cell will guide the worker using Mixed and Augmented Reality during the assembly and inspection processes. The worker will be assisted by a Co-Robot while Artificial Intelligence algorithm based on Neural Networks will check the quality of the results.
The solution proposed by ASSASSINN will take into consideration the driver factors indispensable for the industrialization: increased structural integration, reduced total costs and structural weight, enhanced multifunctional materials, reduced environmental impact and extended duration of aircraft life.
The project counts with a strong consortium composed of 3 different partners with complementary profiles and large expertise: two research centers, CEIT and SUPSI, with a background and expertise in MR/AR, robotics and artificial intelligence; and an aeronautic manufacturing engineering, HB Technology, who is strongly consolidated in the aircraft production and assembly sector.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringmanufacturing engineering
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringaircraft
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringrobotics
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwaresoftware applicationssimulation software
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligencecomputational intelligence
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
20018 San Sebastian
Spain