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New AI Tools For MRO Gain Industry Traction

Aiir Innovations AI borescope technology
Credit: Aiir Innovations

1. Simplifying Borescope Inspections

Company: Aiir Innovations

Product: Dutch startup Aiir Innovations has developed artificial intelligence (AI) software to improve the accuracy and speed of borescope inspections. Users can drag and drop videos or other files into Aiir’s cloud-based platform, which reviews the footage and generates a detailed report highlighting detected damage or defects. The company says its software can analyze borescope video 75% faster than manual reviews and provides borescope analysis that is correct the first time 50% more often than traditional inspections. Aiir recently integrated aircraft maintenance manuals into its system along with a guided defect reporting and sentencing interface to reduce human errors and help inspectors with complex decision-making. The company now has customers on five continents, including KLM, TAP and GT Engine Services.

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2. Creating Digital Fingerprints

Company: Alitheon

Alitheon FeaturePrint
Credit: Alitheon

Product: Alitheon’s FeaturePrint technology uses optical AI algorithms to create unique digital fingerprints for tracing and authentication of physical items. Already deployed in a variety of different industries, the technology uses standard industrial cameras or mobile phones to take photos of items to create these fingerprints. Alitheon says its technology can detect minute surface details of items, showing 99.9% accuracy in its lab testing. Within aviation, Alitheon says FeaturePrint can enhance traceability and identification of aircraft parts throughout the entire aircraft life cycle. The company recently partnered with GA Telesis to integrate FeaturePrint into its Wilbur parts provenance and records platform.

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3. AI-Based Technician Assistance

Company: Amygda

Amygda AI technology
Credit: Amygda

Product: Amygda is a UK-based startup founded by former Rolls-Royce engineers that is using AI to assist technicians and maintenance operations. Its generative AI application, AI Assist, serves as what Amygda calls a “co-pilot for engineering and maintenance teams.” Users can input queries and the AI can answer “what if” scenarios based on data such as maintenance logs, flight hours and sensor data. Meanwhile, its AI Engine product monitors health equipment across a fleet, consolidating data from multiple OEMs into a single platform. Amygda says its AI is being tested on more than 500 helicopters with a Tier 1 OEM and being trialed at an airport to monitor baggage handling platforms.

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4. Forecasting Maintenance And Inventory

Company: Basetwo AI

Basetwo AI technology
Credit: Basetwo AI

Product: Basetwo AI describes its technology as an “AI co-pilot for aerospace MRO and manufacturing.” The platform connects data sources—such as aircraft component sensors or maintenance logs—to build simulation models that can be used to help companies determine when assets and equipment are deviating from expected or normal behavior. Basetwo provides AI-generated maintenance recommendations and forecasting for supply chain and parts. It says the technology can optimize how companies schedule maintenance, optimize inventory and increase asset life cycles. Basetwo completed the Boeing-backed Aerospace Xelerated startup accelerator program and the OEM is now one of its investors.

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5. AI Acquisitions

Company: IFS

AI graphic
Credit: NicoElNino / Alamy Stock Photo

Product: Enterprise software company IFS recently acquired EmpowerMX, an AI-powered MRO software provider, as part of its plans to accelerate AI capability. EmpowerMX launched EMX Vision, its AI module, last September. The module uses internal and external data to forecast labor, defects, material probabilities, turnaround times and resource allocation. According to IFS, the combined capabilities of both companies’ software products will provide customers with a maintenance management system that can support multiple users in multiple roles, as well as paperless governance through electronic task cards and logbooks. Last year IFS also signed an agreement to acquire industrial AI software provider Falkrony, which focuses on automated, high-speed data analysis.

marketplace.aviationweek.com/company/ifs

6. Enhanced Troubleshooting

Company: LexX Technologies

LexX Technologies platform
Credit: LexX Technologies

Product: Australian startup LexX Technologies has developed an AI platform to provide technicians with real-time troubleshooting assistance and help operators reduce asset downtime. The platform can automatically digest data—such as manuals, handwritten notes, photos and work orders—and answer technicians’ questions. LexX recently unveiled a new tool called xAuthor to simplify the creation, maintenance and management of various documents, including work instructions, safety information and compliance documents. The company also recently secured a partnership with a major U.S.-based OEM, through which its AI technology will be integrated with the OEM’s customer services ecosystem. LexX is currently seeking a new round of seed funding to expand its market reach and enhance its product portfolio.

marketplace.aviationweek.com/company/lexx-technologies

7. AI-Powered MRO Chatbot

Company: Veryon

Veryon AI chatbot
Credit: Veryon

Product: Aviation industry software provider Veryon recently launched Veryon AI Assist, its generative AI chatbot to provide guided and rapid troubleshooting for technicians. Designed by and for aviation maintenance professionals, the chatbot is powered by a proprietary large language model. It was launched with what Veryon says was an approved, limited set of manuals focused on specific engine and airframe models to gather input. The company is actively capturing user feedback to help the AI learn and improve, and it says the chatbot learns from user behavior to provide tailored recommendations. According to Veryon, the chatbot is designed to make critical information easily accessible, enhance operational efficiency and scale, and help operators quickly return aircraft to service.

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Lindsay Bjerregaard

Lindsay Bjerregaard is managing editor for Aviation Week’s MRO portfolio. Her coverage focuses on MRO technology, workforce, and product and service news for AviationWeek.com, Aviation Week Marketplace and Inside MRO.