Pratt & Whitney has launched Percept, an advanced artificial intelligence (AI)-based aircraft engine analysis tool.
Percept is a computer vision product that operates on top of the Awiros Video Intelligence Operating System (OS). Its interface allows users to capture images and videos of aircraft engines on their mobile devices and receive real-time responses on availability for parts. This is faster and more cost-efficient than having an inspector examine an engine part-by-part. By automating this inspection, Percept is claimed to reduce the time taken by almost 90%.
"The Percept tool helps reduce time and effort involved in the pre-and-post lease analysis of aircraft engines," said O Sung Kwon, vice president of Pratt & Whitney. "We have been working with Awiros, an Indian Computer Vision and Artificial Intelligence (AI) start-up for the past few years to mature this technology; we are excited to be shifting from technology development to now bringing an operational product to the market."
Awiros was selected as the winner of the RTX Innovation Challenge, which was launched in 2019 with over 60 worldwide startups in Computer Vision, AI, and machine learning domains. The teams gave their solutions to optimise and automate aircraft engine inspections. Awiros’ idea was evaluated through 2020-23. It is expected to be launched commercially later this year.
"Percept is the result of some of India's best and brightest minds collaborating with Pratt & Whitney to innovate a solution that delivers significant efficiencies and value to our customers,” said Ashmita Sethi, president and country head of Pratt & Whitney in India.
The Percept solution will be deployed exclusively on Pratt & Whitney’s most advanced commercial engines, such as the GTF engine and the V2500.