Visualization of a future aerospace manufacturing facility powered by swarm robotics. | Supply: H2 Clipper
H2 Clipper Inc. is one step nearer to its objective of utilizing autonomous and semi-autonomous robotic swarms in plane and aerospace manufacturing. Its newest patent, U.S. Patent No. 12,234,035, brings the corporate to fifteen awarded patents.
The patent issued final week is a continuation of H2 Clipper’s (H2C) foundational robotics patent (U.S. Patent No. 11,851,214) granted in December 2023. It extends the scope of H2C’s proprietary robotics claims to cowl large-scale aviation and aerospace manufacturing.
“The issuance of this patent marks a pivotal second within the evolution of aerospace and aviation manufacturing,” mentioned Rinaldo Brutoco, founder and CEO of H2C. “By changing conventional meeting strains with robotic swarms, this breakthrough allows plane and enormous aerospace belongings to be constructed sooner, at a considerably decrease price, and with far larger precision.”
“Conservative estimates primarily based on present aerospace manufacturing benchmarks recommend this method can cut back whole manufacturing prices by 40% or extra and lower manufacturing timeframes by as much as 60% whereas concurrently enhancing high quality,” he added.
H2 Clipper has developed high-speed, Pipeline-in-the-Sky hydrogen-powered airships for long-distance international transport. Its airships use no fossil fuels and supply a variety industrial and humanitarian purposes.
Since 2008, the firm mentioned it has made strategic investments to analysis, develop, and patent core mental property (IP) in fashionable airship design. These embrace superior software program techniques and midstream options for environment friendly supply of each gaseous and liquid hydrogen.
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H2 Clipper lists key options of collaborative meeting
H2 Clippers newly patented system entails a community of robots that function collaboratively and autonomously to assemble giant aerospace buildings. The Santa Barbara, Calif.-based firm mentioned its robots can do that effectively and with a considerably smaller manufacturing facility footprint.
H2C listed its improvements:
Automated manufacturing: Robots work in a coordinated “swarm” to assemble airframes, connect the outside pores and skin, and set up structural and inside elements. H2C mentioned additionally they carry out bonding and fastening operations, conduct in-process high quality inspections, and perform different complicated, high-precision duties.
Synthetic intelligence-driven optimization: Machine studying and generative AI information the robotic swarm to self-correct, enhance manufacturing precision, cut back errors, and optimize building timelines, asserted the corporate.
Scalability and security: The system makes use of built-in sensors and AI-driven oversight to soundly handle all operations. This assures collision-free operation and eliminates the necessity for employees to function at harmful heights, H2C claimed. With no fastened meeting line or gantries required, operators can remotely supervise manufacturing and scale throughout a number of areas.
Heavy-lift robotics integration: H2C mentioned its expertise allows the development of large-scale buildings solely in place—horizontally or vertically—utilizing autonomous robots able to repositioning and aligning main elements. This flexibility helps a number of meeting approaches whereas decreasing infrastructure necessities and enhancing security.
“Historically, aircrafts should be moved by way of a number of levels, requiring huge amenities, complicated scheduling, and excessive logistical overhead,” the corporate mentioned. H2C added that its method builds these belongings in place, eliminating pricey motion, saving time, and decreasing the necessity for meeting line infrastructure.
Swarm tech primarily based on Pipeline-in-the-Sky airships
H2C CEO Rinaldo Brutoco (middle), with the patent’s different two co-inventors, Robert Shelton, VP of IP and partnerships (left) and Mike Everman of Bell-Everman (proper). | Supply: H2 Clipper
H2 Clipper defined that its deal with Swarm Robotics arose from its pursuit of the easiest way to assemble its Pipeline-in-the-Sky airships. Nevertheless, it quickly realized that the method may deal with a number of challenges confronted in all aviation and aerospace manufacturing.
With the continuation patent now issued, the corporate mentioned it plans to assemble a choose group of business leaders in aerospace engineering, robotics, AI, regulatory affairs, and superior manufacturing. These leaders will information the subsequent section of improvement and demonstration.
H2C mentioned this knowledgeable staff will play a key position in shaping a expertise roadmap that helps potential licensing to OEMs. It might additionally lay the groundwork for a broader business consortium to speed up the adoption of swarm robotics throughout the aerospace sector.
“This patent represents a game-changing second for aerospace manufacturing—a shift as important because the invention of the meeting line itself,” mentioned Brutoco. “Swarm robotics offers OEMs the power to construct plane and spacecraft smarter, sooner, and extra affordably than ever earlier than, opening the door to a brand new period in aviation and the way forward for flight.”
H2C was chosen in 2021 for inclusion in Dassault Systèmes‘ 3DEXPERIENCE Lab accelerator program. In 2024, H2C and Dassault agreed on a renewed three-year contract to additional develop robotic software program for this novel building technique.
