MRO & Manufacturing
Airbus Tests Exoskeletons to Boost Worker Safety and Efficiency
Airbus pilots industrial exoskeletons in global facilities to reduce physical strain by up to 40%, with plans to expand across aerospace manufacturing sites.

Powering Production and Protecting People with Exoskeletons: Airbus’s Ergonomic Revolution
In the high-stakes world of aerospace manufacturing, precision, safety, and endurance are critical. Workers on final assembly lines perform physically demanding tasks that can lead to fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). To address these challenges, Airbus is testing industrial exoskeletons, wearable devices that support workers by reducing muscle strain and enhancing comfort. Once a sci-fi concept, exoskeletons are now being evaluated in Airbus facilities to protect workers and boost productivity.
Airbus’s pilot program is a data-driven, operator-focused initiative to integrate exoskeletons into manufacturing. With 118 units currently under evaluation in France, Spain, and Canada, and plans to expand to Germany, the UK, and the U.S., the program is setting a new standard for ergonomic innovation in aerospace.
The Evolution of Industrial Exoskeletons
Exoskeletons have progressed from bulky, powered devices in the early 2000s to lighter, passive systems today. Initially met with skepticism due to limited data and concerns about shifting pain points, their credibility has grown thanks to studies from organizations like INRS (France) and IRSST (Canada). These studies provide guidelines for safe deployment and highlight benefits like reduced muscle strain.
Airbus focuses on passive exoskeletons, which are mechanical, battery-free, and easier to integrate into workflows. These devices are lighter, more reliable, and cost-effective compared to powered exoskeletons. The pilot program tests their ability to relieve stress on shoulders, lumbar regions, and knees—areas most prone to strain in assembly line work.
Scientific Backing and Ergonomic Benefits
Airbus’s medical team uses electromyography to measure muscle activity, alongside heart rate monitoring, to assess exoskeleton performance. In May 2025, a test showed a 10% to 40% reduction in shoulder and upper back muscular strain for paint shop operators sanding with exoskeletons. These operators, handling 2–3 kg sanders above their heads, reported less fatigue and discomfort.
Operators test exoskeletons for 2–3 months, performing tasks with and without the devices for comparison. Feedback is collected via questionnaires, ensuring the program remains operator-centric. According to Dr. Delphine Bouvet, who led the study, “These results confirm that an exoskeleton can in some cases provide support and comfort to the operator, all while reducing the arduousness of certain tasks such as sanding.”
“They confirm that an exoskeleton can in some cases provide support and comfort to the operator, all while reducing the arduousness of certain tasks such as sanding,” Dr. Delphine Bouvet, Airbus
Task-Specific Design and Voluntary Use
Airbus tests exoskeletons tailored to specific tasks, such as sanding or fuselage assembly, focusing on support for shoulders, lumbar regions, or knees. This task-specific approach enhances effectiveness and user comfort. Use of exoskeletons is voluntary, considered a last resort when other ergonomic solutions—like task rotation or assistive devices—are insufficient, ensuring they complement existing workflows.
By involving operators in testing and feedback, Airbus refines the devices for better fit and usability, addressing issues like restricted movement or discomfort. This collaborative approach fosters acceptance and ensures the technology supports workers without disrupting production.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite promising results, challenges remain. Some operators report discomfort from rigid frames or restricted mobility in tight spaces. The time needed to put on or remove exoskeletons (3–5 minutes) can also disrupt fast-paced assembly lines. Psychological barriers, such as perceptions of exoskeletons as “disability aids,” may lead to reluctance among some workers.
Airbus addresses these issues through a co-design approach, working with operators and ergonomists to improve device design and usability. Voluntary participation ensures exoskeletons are seen as supportive tools, not mandatory equipment, fostering greater acceptance.
Economic and Strategic Implications
Exoskeletons offer economic benefits by reducing injury-related costs, such as those from back or shoulder strain. Passive exoskeletons, with their lower cost and reliability, provide a viable solution for minimizing these expenses. As the manufacturing workforce ages—over 25% of EU manufacturing workers are over 50—exoskeletons could extend productive work life and reduce early retirement due to physical strain.
Airbus’s initiative could serve as a model for other industries, combining exoskeletons with other ergonomic tools like FlexTrack robots and zero-gravity arms to create safer, more efficient workplaces.
Conclusion
Airbus’s exoskeleton pilot program demonstrates how technology can enhance worker safety and efficiency. By focusing on passive, task-specific designs and prioritizing operator feedback, Airbus is pioneering ergonomic innovation in aerospace manufacturing. As the program expands and refines, it could drive broader adoption of exoskeletons, creating safer, more sustainable workplaces across industries.
FAQ
What is an industrial exoskeleton?
An industrial exoskeleton is a wearable device that supports specific body parts during physically demanding tasks, reducing muscle strain and preventing injuries.
Are exoskeletons mandatory for Airbus workers?
No, Airbus’s exoskeleton program is voluntary, allowing operators to choose whether to use the devices for comfort and autonomy.
What types of tasks benefit most from exoskeleton use?
Tasks like sanding or fuselage assembly, involving repetitive overhead work or lifting, benefit most from exoskeleton support.
How are exoskeletons tested at Airbus?
Each device is tested by a single operator for 2–3 months, with performance and physiological data collected and feedback gathered via questionnaires.
What are the future plans for Airbus’s exoskeleton program?
Airbus plans to expand testing to Germany, the UK, and the U.S., refining devices and planning for potential large-scale deployment.
Photo Credit: Airbus
MRO & Manufacturing
AMAC Aerospace Completes Maintenance on Bombardier Jets in Basel
AMAC Aerospace finished maintenance and refurbishment projects on five Bombardier business jets, combining inspections with upgrades to minimize downtime.

This article is based on an official press release from AMAC Aerospace.
On May 8, 2026, AMAC Aerospace, the world’s largest privately owned Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) and Completion center, announced the successful completion of several maintenance and refurbishment projects on a fleet of Bombardier business jets. The work, conducted at the company’s headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, underscores a growing industry strategy where operators combine mandatory calendar-based maintenance with interior and exterior upgrades.
According to the official press release, the recent projects involved five distinct Bombardier aircraft and were completed in early 2026. As business aviation continues to experience robust demand, MRO facilities are seeing their schedules fill up rapidly. AMAC Aerospace has reported that its maintenance slots are currently booked well into mid-2026, reflecting a highly active sector.
Recent Bombardier Maintenance and Refurbishment Projects
Global Express and Global 5000 Overhauls
The company detailed extensive work on two of Bombardier’s ultra-long-range jets. A Bombardier Global Express arrived at the Basel facility on a short-notice, drop-in basis for due maintenance. During this visit, the AMAC team performed an ultrasonic inspection of the engine’s low-pressure (LP) compressor disc. Additionally, the press release noted that technicians successfully rectified a cabin noise issue that had been reported by the long-term customer.
Simultaneously, a Bombardier Global 5000 underwent a scheduled 15-month inspection, which is a standard regulatory requirement for the airframe. According to AMAC Aerospace, this project included both interior and exterior enhancements. Technicians replaced the cabin countertops, as well as the aircraft’s windshield and nose cone. The new nose cone was custom-painted to seamlessly match the fuselage’s existing lines and colors.
Challenger 604 and 605 Inspections
In the heavy-class corporate jet category, AMAC Aerospace completed work on three Challenger series aircraft. A Bombardier Challenger 604 underwent standard 12-month and 24-month calendar inspections. Routine maintenance for the Challenger 600 series is rigorous, with industry data indicating that annual maintenance costs for a Challenger 604 or 605 typically range between $650,000 and $900,000, depending on utilization.
Two Bombardier Challenger 605 aircraft were also serviced. The first completed a standard 12-month inspection. The second Challenger 605 underwent a 24-month inspection combined with a comprehensive cabin refurbishment. According to the company’s statement, the interior upgrades featured the installation of new carpets alongside new leather covers for the seats and divan, illustrating the trend of maximizing downtime efficiency.
Industry Trends Driving MRO Demand
The “One-Stop-Shop” Approach
Aircraft downtime represents a significant cost for private owners and charter operators. To mitigate this, a major trend in business aviation is the “one-stop-shop” efficiency model. Operators are increasingly combining mandatory maintenance checks with cosmetic or avionics upgrades. AMAC Aerospace utilizes this business model to allow maintenance, refurbishment, and modifications to occur simultaneously, thereby reducing overall ground time.
“The industry is currently facing longer lead times for materials from vendors due to high worldwide demand.”
Following this observation, Kurz urged operators to plan their maintenance downtime and secure hangar slots months in advance to avoid operational disruptions.
AirPro News analysis
We observe that the aging fleets of early Global Express models and Challenger 604s, which were produced until 2006, are driving a significant portion of this refurbishment market. While these airframes remain highly viable and structurally sound, their interiors and technology often require modernization to meet current executive standards.
Instead of purchasing new aircraft, which can easily exceed $50 million, many owners are opting to heavily refurbish the interiors of their existing jets during heavy maintenance checks. Furthermore, with Bombardier’s introduction of the “Evolved Maintenance Intervals” program for the 604/605, which lengthens the time between certain inspections, accurate logbook tracking and strategic planning with MROs have become highly critical for operators looking to maximize their assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AMAC Aerospace?
Founded in 2007, AMAC Aerospace is the largest privately owned MRO and Completion center in the world. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, the company employs nearly 1,000 people globally and is an approved center for major OEMs including Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Dassault, and Gulfstream.
Why are operators combining maintenance with refurbishments?
Aircraft downtime is costly. By combining mandatory calendar-based inspections (such as 12-month or 24-month checks) with interior refurbishments or component replacements, operators can minimize the total time their aircraft is grounded and out of service.
Sources
Photo Credit: AMAC Aerospace
MRO & Manufacturing
Mobix Labs Expands Boeing 737NG Connectivity Components Order
Mobix Labs secures new order for secure onboard data-loading systems in Boeing 737NG aircraft amid aerospace MRO market growth.

This article is based on an official press release from Mobix Labs, supplemented by industry research.
On May 12, 2026, Irvine, California-based Mobix Labs, Inc. (NASDAQ: MOBX) announced a new product order from a returning aerospace customer. The order expands the deployment of the company’s advanced connectivity components within a secure onboard data-loading system certified for the Boeing 737NG commercial aircraft family.
While the company described the order volume as modest in its official press release, the strategic implications are notable. Securing and maintaining a footprint in the highly regulated aerospace sector, particularly within one of the world’s most widely operated aircraft fleets, validates the company’s technology in a market characterized by exceptionally high barriers to entry.
This development arrives during a broader aerospace maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) super-cycle. With global supply chain bottlenecks delaying new aircraft deliveries, airlines are extending the operational lives of legacy platforms like the 737NG, driving sustained demand for avionics support, secure software updates, and replacement components.
The Boeing 737NG Data-Loading System
According to the Mobix Labs press release, the returning customer is an established aerospace electronics provider that resumed orders after a brief pause. The components are utilized in a secure onboard data-loading system responsible for transferring operational software, navigation databases, and critical system updates to the aircraft’s avionics.
Industry research indicates that modern onboard data loaders have largely replaced legacy portable systems, utilizing secure wireless protocols to distribute software directly to the aircraft. Because these systems interface with critical flight avionics, they must meet stringent cybersecurity and operational standards to protect against vulnerabilities.
Strategic Significance of the Platform
The Boeing 737 Next Generation family, which includes the -600, -700, -800, and -900/900ER variants, remains a cornerstone of global aviation. Research data shows there are currently more than 5,000 Boeing 737NG aircraft in active service worldwide, carrying millions of passengers daily.
In the company’s press release, Mobix Labs CEO Phil Sansone emphasized the rigorous nature of the aviation market:
“This new order is exactly the type of aerospace engagement we are working to grow across Mobix Labs. Having our technology continue to be selected for deployment within a certified onboard aircraft system supporting Boeing 737NG platforms is an important milestone for the Company, and it reflects the type of high-reliability aviation application where qualification, performance, and operational standards are exceptionally demanding.”
Industry Tailwinds and the MRO Super-Cycle
The timing of this repeat order aligns with significant macroeconomic trends in the commercial aviation industry. We are currently observing an MRO super-cycle driven by severe supply-chain constraints across the aerospace manufacturing sector.
Industry estimates highlight a backlog of over 17,000 new aircraft orders across major manufacturers. Compounded by engine manufacturing defects, such as the Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan issues, airlines are forced to operate older aircraft for longer durations. By 2025, the average global aircraft fleet age had risen to approximately 15 years, up from a pre-pandemic average of 13 years.
AirPro News analysis
For suppliers like Mobix Labs, this aging fleet dynamic creates a lucrative secondary market. Commercial aircraft typically remain in service for decades, requiring continuous software and navigation database refreshes. Once a component clears the rigorous, multi-year qualification process and is embedded into a certified platform, it becomes highly difficult to displace. This “sticky” relationship generates long-term service and replacement revenue, insulating qualified suppliers from short-term market volatility and establishing a reliable foundation for compounding repeat orders.
Mobix Labs Corporate Context
Based in Irvine, California, Mobix Labs operates as a fabless semiconductor company providing connectivity, RF, and filtering technologies for aerospace, defense, 5G, and mission-critical markets.
The company has experienced a mix of operational growth and financial restructuring. According to industry reports, Mobix Labs delivered over 50% year-over-year revenue growth in fiscal 2025, driven by aerospace and defense demand. In April 2026, the company also announced a strategic expansion into the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and drone market, leveraging its wireless connectivity technologies for military and commercial applications. Furthermore, reports indicate the company is pursuing an acquisition of wireless technology firm Peraso.
Financial Headwinds
Despite top-line growth, the micro-cap technology company faces ongoing financial challenges. As of May 2026, its market capitalization sits at approximately $23 million. Financial analysts note a high cash burn rate, which prompted the company to execute a 1-for-10 reverse stock split in April 2026 to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Mobix Labs component do on the Boeing 737NG?
The component is embedded within a secure onboard data-loading system. This system is responsible for safely transferring operational software, navigation databases, and critical aircraft system updates to the onboard avionics.
Why is the aerospace MRO market currently growing?
Severe supply chain bottlenecks and a massive backlog of over 17,000 new aircraft orders are forcing airlines to fly older planes longer. This has increased the average global fleet age to 15 years, driving sustained demand for maintenance, repair, and avionics upgrades.
Sources
Photo Credit: Mobix Labs
MRO & Manufacturing
Locatory and AvSight Launch Aviation Marketplace Integration
Locatory and AvSight announce a software integration to streamline inventory publishing and RFQ management for aviation suppliers and MRO providers.

This article is based on an official press release from Locatory and AvSight.
On May 7, 2026, aviation marketplace Locatory.com and cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform AvSight announced a direct software integration. According to the official press release, the new connection is designed to streamline workflows for aviation suppliers and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) providers by linking AvSight’s ERP system directly with Locatory’s global parts marketplace.
The integration allows users to automatically publish inventory, receive Requests for Quotes (RFQs), and respond to buyers entirely within the AvSight platform. By bridging the two systems, the companies aim to eliminate the need for manual data entry and cross-platform management, a common bottleneck in aviation logistics.
For suppliers and MRO providers, this development promises expanded marketplace reach with significantly less administrative overhead. Once connected, a company’s Locatory presence can be managed natively from AvSight, ensuring that listings stay updated automatically and incoming buyer requests are handled in the same digital environment that teams already use daily.
Streamlining Aviation Logistics
Centralized Inventory and RFQ Management
The newly announced integration addresses major administrative pain points in the aviation aftermarket. According to the press release, companies no longer need to log into Locatory as a separate platform to manage their marketplace presence. Instead, inventory and MRO capabilities are published automatically from AvSight.
When a buyer submits a request on Locatory, the RFQ lands directly in the supplier’s AvSight queue. The companies state that this direct routing eliminates the need to monitor a secondary inbox or manually import data. Teams can quote or decline requests directly within AvSight’s existing workflow, with responses syncing back to the Locatory.com buyer in real time.
“Scale Your Reach Without Scaling Your Workload.”
To maintain data accuracy, the systems perform a nightly automatic synchronization. According to the release, this ensures that Locatory listings accurately reflect current inventory data, drastically reducing the risk of quoting parts that have already been sold or are no longer in stock.
The Companies Behind the Integration
AvSight’s Cloud Foundation
Founded in 2016 by aviation technology experts, AvSight is a cloud-based ERP platform built specifically for the aviation aftermarket. Corporate background data notes that its target audience includes parts distributors, aviation suppliers, MRO facilities, and lessors. A key differentiator for AvSight is its native foundation on the Salesforce platform, which provides enterprise-grade security, mobile accessibility, and seamless API integration capabilities. The system combines inventory management, quoting, repairs, sales orders, compliance tracking, and finance into a single hub.
Locatory’s Global Reach
Founded in 2010, Locatory operates as one of the top three global aviation marketplaces for aircraft parts and MRO capabilities. According to company data, the platform provides access to over 10 billion aircraft parts, boasts more than 25,000 active industry members, and connects over 150 warehouses worldwide. Furthermore, Locatory reports a 95 percent search success rate across its extensive parts database.
Locatory is a subsidiary of the Avia Solutions Group, which is recognized as the world’s largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider, operating a fleet of nearly 200 aircraft. Under the leadership of CEO Toma Matutyte, the marketplace has evolved into a comprehensive aviation IT solutions provider.
“[Our goal is to provide] more automation for our customers that they would get more data, more knowledge, more information from the market automatically.”
Industry Impact and Digital Transformation
AirPro News analysis
At AirPro News, we observe that this integration represents a critical step in the modernization of the aviation aftermarket. Historically, the aviation industry has relied heavily on fragmented legacy software, spreadsheets, and manual email chains. Integrations like the one between AvSight and Locatory highlight a broader industry shift toward interconnected, cloud-based ecosystems where data flows seamlessly between internal ERPs and global marketplaces.
We note that the aviation supply chain is currently facing significant pressure. Demands on legacy engine platforms, delayed new aircraft deliveries, and widespread parts shortages require suppliers to maximize their global reach. However, hiring massive administrative teams to manage data entry across multiple platforms is rarely cost-effective. By eliminating the “swivel chair” workflow, where employees constantly switch between different software screens and inboxes, suppliers can tap into Locatory’s massive network of buyers without scaling their headcount.
Furthermore, in the aviation aftermarket, margins are tight and turnaround times are critical, especially during Aircraft on Ground (AOG) situations. Manually updating inventory across multiple marketplaces often leads to outdated listings, delayed response times, and ultimately, lost sales. The nightly synchronization feature of this integration directly mitigates these risks, ensuring that buyers are only quoted for parts that are genuinely available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AvSight and Locatory integration?
It is a software connection that allows aviation suppliers and MRO providers using the AvSight ERP to automatically publish their inventory to the Locatory marketplace. It also routes buyer Requests for Quotes (RFQs) from Locatory directly into the AvSight system for seamless processing.
How often does the inventory data sync between the platforms?
According to the press release, the integration features a nightly automatic synchronization to keep Locatory listings aligned with current AvSight inventory data.
Do users need to log into Locatory.com to respond to buyers?
No. The integration allows users to review, process, quote, or decline RFQs directly from within their existing AvSight workflow, with responses syncing back to the buyer in real time.
Sources: Locatory Press Release
Photo Credit: Locatory
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