Snake Robots Are Coming! – Dragos Axinte, Professor of Manufacturing Engineering, The University of Nottingham – Exploring the World of Advanced Robotic Technology for Industry

Dragos Axinte, Professor of Manufacturing Engineering, The University of Nottingham, gives us a glimpse into the complex world of advanced robotic technology.

Axinte is an experienced professional specializing in manufacturing engineering. Throughout his impressive career he has held two NATO Research Fellowships in Italy and Denmark. He has been an active part of the groundbreaking research teams at the University of Birmingham as well as the University of Nottingham. Axinte was named Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineer (IMechE) and Fellow of the International Academy of Production Engineering (FCIRP), and continues to contribute to the dialogue internationally in his industry.

As the prominent Director of the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre (UTC) in Manufacturing and On-Wing Technology, Axinte works with his team to develop a range of robotic technologies that can enable engines to be inspected and repaired at remote locations, all while remaining on-wing. Axinte discusses the form and design of the robots they are creating. He mentions that they are making snake-like robots, for this design is best for entering tiny spaces that are impossible for other forms to access. He provides detailed information on how the robots access these interior spaces and exactly the kinds of jobs that they perform, such as engine maintenance, and more.

Axinte talks about the various technologies that they have developed at Rolls-Royce. He provides details on their current designs and his expectations for future redesigns and improvements. He speaks about their challenges in design and use, and the importance of making their robotic technology easy to use by untrained operators, so extensive training is not necessary. Speaking about future advances, he provides information on other operational challenges they will face in development. Axinte states that there are many opportunities to utilize their technology in the aerospace, oil and gas, and defense industries.

Axinte hopes that the future will bring more integrated use of artificial intelligence in their robotic manufacturing, and he and his team are working toward this and other goals.