Gecko Robotics and L3Harris Technologies Collaborate on Innovative Extended Reality Solution for Aircraft Maintenance
Gecko Robotics and L3Harris Technologies are collaborating on a highly advanced extended reality (XR) capability that enhances detection of physical defects for improved efficiency in the aircraft maintenance and sustainment process.
The technology, developed by Gecko, captures more than 10,000 high-definition images of an aircraft’s surface and converts the imagery into a precise 3D model of the aircraft’s physical characteristics. The images provide a “digital twin” of the aircraft, enabling U.S. military and industry service providers to view and manage operational aircraft maintenance remotely.
The 360-degree XR environment allows engineers to assess the health of a platform, regardless of where the fleet is located. This allows offsite inspections to occur without a full traveling crew, improving operational efficiency and reducing overhead costs. The high-resolution imagery also improves inspection quality by detecting issues invisible to the human eye under standard lighting conditions.
"The readiness and modernization of military aircraft is a critical 'line of effort' for the Air Force," said Jake Loosararian, Co-founder and CEO of Gecko Robotics. "Gecko's partnership with L3Harris will deploy world class technology to solve real problems, putting us at the forefront of helping the U.S. military build, maintain and modernize the assets necessary to defend our nation."
“A year of prototype testing with Gecko in collaboration with multiple military customers has identified numerous applications for this technology, including virtual visual inspections, configuration review and robust defect identification,” said Sean Ling, General Manager, Modernization and Modifications, L3Harris. “We keep agility and innovation at the heart of our operations to advance fleet readiness and safety.”