Rolls-Royce looks to robot snakes and beetles for engine upkeep

Engine maker Rolls-Royce demonstrates one of its robots, inspired by snakes and cockroaches, that could be used in the future to help it inspect and repair engines, at the Farnborough International Airshow, in Farnborough, Britain, July 17, 2018. Picture taken July 17, 2018. REUTERS/Victoria Bryan

FARNBOROUGH, England: Engine maker Rolls-Royce is exploring the idea of using robots inspired by snakes and cockroaches to help it inspect and repair engines in the future, the company's researchers said at the Farnborough Airshow.

The plan is part of efforts by Rolls to carry out as much maintenance as possible while the engine is on the wing of a plane.