Mainblades

Mainblades is a Dutch company that specializes in automated aircraft inspections using drones and artificial intelligence. The company has developed a solution that employs autonomous drones to perform visual inspections of aircraft, capturing high-resolution images of the entire plane. Mainblades' technology creates a 3D model of the aircraft, which serves as a reference point for the drones during the inspection process. The company's machine learning software analyzes the captured images to identify areas that require attention, such as scratches, dents, or other defects on the fuselage, engines, and components.

The Mainblades system significantly reduces the time required for aircraft inspections compared to traditional methods. For narrowbody planes, the inspection process takes about an hour, while widebody aircraft require approximately two hours. This is a substantial improvement over conventional inspections, which can take between six to eight hours or even several days. The company's technology not only saves time but also enhances consistency in the inspection process, as the drones follow the same pattern for each aircraft model every time. Mainblades' solution is designed to complement rather than replace human expertise, with mechanics still evaluating the drone-captured data, verifying potential issues, and deciding on necessary repairs.

Key customers and partnerships

Mainblades has secured several notable customers in the aviation industry. The company's client list includes KLM (the flag carrier of the Netherlands), Lufthansa Technik Philippines, and Delta Air Lines. The company's focus on tailoring its solution to meet the specific needs of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) organizations has likely contributed to its success in attracting these major airlines as customers.