The Aerospace Open Innovation Challenge (AOIC) Demo Day was held on 17 October at the new Embry-Riddle Asia campus in Seletar.
About AOIC
Organised by JTC and Enterprise Singapore, with support from AAIS and EDB, the AOIC was first introduced at the Singapore Airshow in February. This initiative brought together seven leading aerospace companies which submitted a total of 12 challenge statements, addressing practical and real-world industry issues. In response, over 130 technology providers stepped forward, offering an impressive variety of innovative solutions.
After a rigorous selection process in collaboration with AOIC partners, eight outstanding solutions were chosen and showcased at Demo Day. The strong interest from the industry was evident, with over 100 professionals and representatives from various companies and agencies attending to learn more about these innovative solutions.
Kicking off the programme with her opening remarks, JTC’s Acting Director Aerospace & Precision Engineering Cluster Ms Lim Wee Lee highlighted the importance of open innovation and collaboration, reflecting on the challenge’s success in providing corporate partners with fresh, innovative solutions, while bringing solution providers closer to industry and valuable opportunities to address real-world problems.
AAIS Chief Executive Mr Sia Kheng Yok echoed this sentiment, noting the intensive nature of the shortlisting process and quality of submissions. The solutions presented hold potential for applications beyond their initial scope while those not shortlisted could also offer value to other aerospace companies. He encouraged innovators to engage with the association as it continues to foster an innovative aerospace community.
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.
In closing, Mr Tan Boon Kim, Executive Director for Innovation at Enterprise Singapore highlighted that Demo Day marked a key milestone, celebrating the progress made and collaborative efforts achieved. The demand-led approach of Open Innovation fostered a mutually beneficial setup for corporate stakeholders and SMEs/startups alike, by connecting industry challenges with novel ideas to accelerate and catalyse innovation.
Guests also heard from Mr Matthew Flaherty, Vice Chancellor and Head of Asia at ERAU, on Embry-Riddle’s offerings in aeronautics, aerospace, and aviation programmes. Following the formal programme, attendees enjoyed a vibrant networking reception, further fostering connections within the aerospace innovation community.
Congratulations to all presenting companies for their groundbreaking solutions, and to AOIC partners for the successful and impactful initiative!
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