PILATUS tests humanoid robot from Hexagon

Aircraft manufacturer PILATUS Aircraft Ltd, based in Stans in the Swiss canton of Nidwalden, is testing the humanoid robot Aeon in collaboration with Stockholm-headquartered technology company Hexagon. According to a statement, the robot is working across the PILATUS production hall, where an initial task involves inspecting a component group, such as the side wall of a PC-24 aircraft. Aeon must reportedly check that employees have installed the right components in the right places.

PILATUS emphasizes that the robot is still being tested. Aeon combines sensors, artificial intelligence, and precision measuring technology with advanced motion control, enabling the robot to independently perceive its surroundings and perform tasks such as object manipulation, parts inspection, and digital data capture.

In PILATUS’ large production halls, moving around is highly complex: there must be no risk of the humanoid robot endangering people or components, writes the company. PILATUS plans to use humanoid robots to assist human workers with repetitive or physically demanding tasks, improving production safety and boosting efficiency.

“The technology is developing very quickly, but there are still many hurdles ahead,” Kilian Läubli, project manager at PILATUS, is quoted as saying. “For example, a regulatory framework needs to be set up to define exactly how these robots can be used legally. But by partnering with the manufacturer, we at Pilatus are able to gather valuable initial experience of how this technology could be used here in the future.” ce/ww