Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution (HEI), together with Kanagawa University, Japan, has submitted an application for a joint Lithuanian-Japanese project under the Research Council of Lithuania’s call for cooperation program. The project focuses on the application of innovative robotics solutions in aviation, aiming to reduce fuel consumption and environmental pollution.

International cooperation is expanding

This year, the management of Kauno kolegija participated in the Lithuania-Japan Science and Economics Forum in Japan, which was held for the first time in 35 years. During the visit, Kanagawa University was visited and meetings were held with its management and researchers. During the discussions it was agreed to develop closer cooperation. Also, two Japanese professors joined the preparation of the project application.

‘Cooperation with Japanese scientists opens up new opportunities, both academic and technological. This project can become an important step in creating international added value for the Lithuanian aviation sector,’ says project manager Dr Laimonas Kairiūkštis.

Innovative idea: lower fuel consumption, lower pollution

The essence of the project is the application of robotics technology in aviation. The proposed technology involves mobile smart robots designed to polish the surfaces of gliders. The quality of the surface has a direct impact on the glider’s flight efficiency, making them an ideal test object.

It is planned that in the future, swarm robot technology could be applied in civil aviation. It is estimated that by improving surface quality by 2-3%, the fuel costs of a single aircraft could be reduced by up to €100,000 per month.

This project is linked to the 100^th anniversary of the birth of the first Lithuanian aircraft, ANBO. Just as the young aircraft designer Antanas Gustaitis sought to make his aircraft fly as far as possible while consuming a minimum of fuel in 1925, so today our goal is to use the most modern technologies to reduce energy consumption, improve aircraft efficiency, and continue the spirit of progress and innovation.

A century ago, the aircraft designed by A. Gustaitis became a symbol of Lithuanian aviation, and today, as we celebrate this anniversary, we want to show that modern Lithuania is still capable of creating aviation solutions for the future.

The project brings together Lithuanian and Japanese forces

The work is expected to take place at the Kauno kolegija Robotics Centre, which has recently acquired a new robot, as well as at the laboratories of Japanese partners. The solutions will be tested at the Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) Ultrasound Institute and the Lithuanian aviation factory Lak.lt, which has more than 65 years of experience in the manufacture and repair of gliders.

We are delighted to have the opportunity to participate in this innovative project and hope that our cooperation with Japanese partners will open up even more opportunities to create advanced solutions for the Lithuanian aviation sector and promote international scientific and technological cooperation in the future.