Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Priyan Gunatilake is a pioneering researcher in the field of robotic inspection systems and computer vision, with a particular focus on automated nondestructive evaluation of aircraft surfaces. Working primarily in the late 1990s, Gunatilake made foundational contributions to the development of mobile robotic platforms and image processing algorithms designed to revolutionize how aircraft skin inspections are conducted. His work addressed a critical aviation safety challenge: the detection of microscopic fatigue cracks and corrosion around rivets caused by repeated pressurization cycles, defects that can prove catastrophic if missed by conventional manual inspection. Gunatilake's most celebrated contributions include the development of ANDI (Automated NonDestructive Inspector) and CIMP (Crown Inspection Mobile Platform), as well as sophisticated remote 3D stereoscopic visual inspection systems. His research demonstrated that robotics, automation, and computer vision could dramatically improve both the accuracy and economics of aircraft maintenance. Collectively, his most cited publications have accumulated over 169 citations, reflecting the lasting influence of his work on the aerospace inspection and robotics communities. His research remains a touchstone for engineers and researchers developing automated inspection technologies across aviation and industrial applications.