Waygate Technologies, a leader in non-destructive testing (NDT) solutions, is making significant strides in the Middle East market, particularly in the aerospace sector.

At the MRO Middle East 2025 show in Dubai, Benjamin Linke, CEO of Waygate Technologies, shared insights with Aviation Guide how the company is leveraging digital transformation and AI to enhance aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) processes.

With a focus on innovation, automation and strategic partnerships, Waygate Technologies is poised to revolutionize the industry by improving inspection efficiency, consistency, and safety standards.

As the company expands its presence in the Middle East, it aims to address regional challenges and deliver cutting-edge solutions across various industries.

Tell us about your company, and what brings you to the Middle East market?

I lead the inspection business within Baker Hughes, a major player in energy and industrial technology. We are here representing Waygate Technologies, a leader in non-destructive testing solutions across various industries like aerospace, EV batteries, rail, oil and gas and more.

We are excited to be at the MRO Middle East 2025 show in Dubai because the aerospace sector is a huge focus for us. We are here to showcase our cutting-edge technology solutions and connect with our customers in this dynamic market.

How is AI transforming non-destructive testing (NDT) in aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), and what role does Waygate Technologies play in this digital transformation?

Globally, we are witnessing a few key trends that are reshaping the industry. First up is digital transformation, followed by automation, and finally the power of partnerships and innovation.

When it comes to digital and AI, there’s an incredible opportunity to boost productivity, enhance user-friendliness and ensure more consistent inspections. Our digital capabilities, particularly with boroscopes, are at the forefront of this change. These tools are not only driving productivity for our customers but also making the systems easier to use, setting a new standard in the industry.

How do automated workflows in inspection processes enhance efficiency and minimize aircraft downtime?

When we dive into the digital realm, there are a few key milestones to hit for boosting efficiency and cutting down aircraft downtime. First, it’s all about data management. You need a solid system to store, tag and consistently handle inspection data.

Then comes the workflow aspect. Here, the focus is on driving consistency, speed and productivity. A great example is our collaboration with Rolls-Royce, where we have developed an intelligent boroscope. This tool is a game-changer, streamlining workflows and enabling our customers to effectively manage and interpret large data sets.

The result?

Faster inspections and reduced downtime, ensuring aircraft are back in the air quicker than ever.

What are the biggest challenges in managing quality in today’s complex aircraft systems, and how does advance NDT technology help tackle these issues?

One of the major hurdles we face is ensuring consistency in inspections. With a lot of human involvement, inspectors might sometimes capture images at varying angles, leading to inconsistencies.

However, AI and automation are game changers in this area. They help standardize the process, ensuring that images are consistently captured from the same spot every time. This not only enhances the quality and reliability of inspections but also significantly reduces the risk of missing any potential failures.

How does Waygate Technologies help MRO providers and OEMs uphold the highest safety standards amid growing concerns about aircraft safety and manufacturing quality?

At the heart of it all is technological innovation. Ensuring the highest image quality and consistency, along with a reliable system, is crucial. At Waygate Technologies, we offer a range of advanced solutions for the aerospace industry.

Our boroscopes are used for jet engine inspections, while our ultrasound capabilities are perfect for examining the composites of aircraft bodies and blades. Additionally, we provide computer tomography solutions for inspecting metal blades, additive parts, and casings.

These technologies deliver top-notch image quality, reliability, and ease of use, all of which contribute to a robust safety ecosystem in aerospace, covering everything from jet engines to the aircraft itself.

Can you provide insights into the development and impact of the “Intelligent Borescope” solution created in collaboration with Rolls-Royce? How is it improving engine inspections?

Partnerships are crucial for driving innovation, and our collaboration with Rolls-Royce and Rheinstahl is a prime example. Together, we’ve developed the intelligent borescope, which brings several advancements to engine inspections.

Firstly, it revolutionizes how we collect and store data. Secondly, it integrates with a turning tool, allowing us to control engine turning directly from the borescope. This integration frees up inspectors to focus on other tasks, boosting productivity and speed.

Moreover, the use of AI and advanced defect recognition significantly enhances the interpretation of inspections, reducing the time required for these processes. Ultimately, this innovation cuts down inspection hours, improves the time an engine spends on the wing, and delivers real productivity gains for airlines, enhancing safety for everyone involved.

How do you envision the role of NDT evolving over the next five to ten years, especially in aviation MRO? What key technologies should the industry gear up for?

We are at a pivotal moment in the aerospace sector, with demand soaring and safety being a non-negotiable standard. But it’s not just about safety; it’s about driving productivity too.

In the coming years, you’ll see automation, robotics and digital technologies playing a bigger role in speeding up inspections and enhancing quality. These advancements will help reduce potential failures significantly.

Innovation, particularly through AI, is set to transform the landscape. As these technologies evolve, they’ll become integral to the industry, making processes more efficient and reliable. It’s an exciting time, and the industry should be ready to embrace these changes to stay ahead.

Are there any exciting new partnerships or innovations from Waygate Technologies that could revolutionize aerospace inspections?

We are thrilled about our ongoing partnership with GE Aerospace. Together, we are co-developing a gas power assist, an advanced defect recognition (ADR) system. This innovation boosts inspection recognition by 34% compared to previous models and cuts down false positives by 13%.

As we continue to feed more data into our platform, these improvements will only get better. Plus, we are exploring more partnerships focused on enhancing aircraft mainframe inspections, aiming to speed up the entire process. It’s an exciting time for innovation in aerospace inspections!

What are your plans for expanding into the Middle East market, and how do you intend to establish and grow your business there?

The Middle East is a significant market for us, and we’re already collaborating with many customers in the region. These partnerships are crucial as they help us continuously evolve our technology.

It’s all about innovation, and by understanding the unique insights and challenges our Middle Eastern customers face—not just in aerospace but across various industries—we can tailor our solutions to meet their needs. We’re excited to grow our presence and bring cutting-edge technology to this dynamic market!