GE Aviation (www.geaviation.com) has purchased OC Robotics (www.ocrobotics.com), which was founded in Bristol in 1997 to design and manufacture commercial ‘snake-arm’ robots and software for confined and hazardous environments. The latter’s expertise will support GE Aviation’s services organisation.

Vice-president and general manager Jean Lydon-Rodgers (pictured) said: “This acquisition will expand our component repair development capabilities and increase the efficiency of the on-wing support team, as they perform inspections and repairs.”

OC Robotics’ technical director, Andy Graham, added: “For 15 years, OC Robotics invested heavily to develop snake-arm robot technologies, and the aerospace industry has always been a target area for this technology.”

With a reach of more than 3m and a cumulative bend of more than 180deg, OC Robotics’ flexible snake-arm robots are suitable for working in tight spots and can conduct various tasks, including inspection, fastening and cleaning when integrated with tooling.