Aerospace Open Innovation Challenge Demo Day

Participating Companies and Their Solutions

Solutions presented at Demo Day ranged from autonomous baggage and cargo handling systems to AI-driven process and compliance systems, bird deterrent solutions for hangars, waste heat capture technologies, and mobile solar energy platforms. In lightning rounds, attendees posed questions to solution providers, gaining deeper insights into the technical considerations and feasibility of each innovation.

Antomation: Cargo Cobra – A fully automated baggage loading and unloading system inspired by the movement of snakes, designed to navigate tight spaces and streamline cargo handling. Equipped with machine vision that creates a 3D map of the cargo hold, a flexible, custom-built loader ensures precise and efficient loading and unloading operations.

Soji AI: An AI-powered internal GPT system that provides real-time support for MRO operations. Operators can ask questions and receive verified answers, accurately extracted from relevant technical documents. Engineered to minimise errors and eliminate AI-generated “hallucinations,” the solution can be integrated with Work Cards, Historical Maintenance Records, ERP, and other internal systems

Motionwell: A Robotic Composite Repair System uses a force-control robotic system combined with a 3D scanner to precisely sand carbon composite laminates for repair procedures. Another system, utilising a robotic arm equipped with a force-control tool and colour-sensing camera, enables accurate and precise paint removal from nacelles.

Ironyun: Vaidio – An AI-powered bird deterrent system for hangars that uses cameras and laser beams. The AI identifies birds and harmlessly deters them without impacting other elements in the environment.

WeavAI: Optical Bird Deterrent System combines radar sensors, IoT, and lasers to deter birds, even in low-light conditions where traditional cameras fall short.

ESG-MD: TROM AI (Tomorrow’s Resources Orchestration Management) – A custom AI platform automating and streamlining compliance by integrating a knowledge base of airworthiness and maintenance directives. With AI algorithms and large language models, engineers input project details to receive tailored compliance assessments and predictive forecasts for future compliance needs.

Climacircuit: An advanced thermoelectric generator designed to capture waste heat from furnaces. Utilising a novel micro-lattice design created through additive manufacturing, this solution achieves up to 12% efficiency at peak operating temperatures and can handle a wide range of heat levels, from 150°C to 500°C, maximising energy recovery.

Launch Industries and The Interaction Company: A solar energy solution utilising mobile containers with retractable solar panels for easy deployment. Deployable within three hours, this setup spans up to 180 meters, enabling efficient use of underutilised land for solar energy capture.