Continuum Robot with Embedded Soft Actuators

Routine in-situ inspections on aero gas turbines are crucial for high levels of aero engine safety. These inspections are currently limited in the possible data that can be captured, time and money are spent removing aircraft engines to perform maintenance and overhaul. The ability to perform detailed in-situ inspections and repairs without the need for removal or dismantling, would be extremely economical in terms of time and money. The main long-term vision of this technology is to have continuum snake-like robots with the ability to enter gas turbine engines and perform in-situ repairs that would be otherwise impossible to perform for a human engineer without removal or dismantling.

The project will include the Design, Modelling and Control of Soft Actuator Technology for use in Continuum Robot.