Inspections robots help ensure safety by eliminating the need for personnel to enter dangerous, confined spaces. They can monitor bridges, tunnels, and sewer lines. They can also sample air quality or survey the state of a building.
Choose a robot that’s suited for your quality assurance needs. Consider the size and delicacy of parts you need to inspect, as well as the environment in which your robot will operate. Look for models that offer best-in-class vision systems and easy no-code programming.
Multinnov
Multinnov is a French manufacturer of drones and robots dedicated to inspection in confined spaces, recognized internationally. Their innovative solutions, like the Stereo 2, allow users to access inaccessible sites or environments that are unsafe for human workers. This saves time and money, and eliminates mechanical and chemical risks for humans.
The most important requirements for indoor inspection rover are that they can operate in occupied rooms with diverse furniture and appliances, and that they minimize disturbance to occupants. In addition, they should be able to avoid having their range of vision obstructed by these objects, and to reach areas above them.
Moreover, the Stereo 2 features a lighting system that is tailored to confined spaces, designed to reduce dust deposits on the camera lens and enhance the quality of photos and videos. It also offers a real-time 3D visualization of the space. This can help users identify defects more easily than sorting through hundreds of pictures or video footage.
Sensabot
The ACSL Fi4 confined space inspection drone is designed to meet the needs of companies seeking to improve operational throughput while avoiding the risks of a human inspector. It can reach narrow spaces with high lateral bending angles and is made of optimal materials for maximum strength and light weight. It can also float, making it ideal for use in liquids.
In the ARGOS Challenge and European Robotics League (ERL) Emergency Robots, the quadrupedal robot ANYmal used rotating Hokuyo light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors to localize itself on industrial sites and map the terrain and obstacles it encountered. It used the results of these scans to match against a digital facility map, so it could complete high level tasks safely and accurately.
Shell developed a new robot, Sensabot, to monitor equipment and perform maintenance in hazardous locations. It uses a mobile base paired with a sensor boom that houses inspection sensors, and it can operate in extreme temperatures as well as explosive and toxic atmospheres. A human operator remotely drives the robot.
DOER
DOER manufactures drones and robots dedicated to inspection in confined spaces. These vehicles can be equipped with a variety of payloads, including cameras, gas detectors, and dosimetry instruments. They can be used to inspect power, paper and pulp, oil and gas, and petrochemical facilities. These vehicles can also access areas that are inaccessible to human divers.
The company’s goal is to improve safety and efficiency, while reducing costs and downtime. Its systems eliminate the need for scaffolding and can reduce days of downtime into hours. They can also prevent accidents by avoiding confined space entry and eliminating the need for employees to stand at height.
The research team at DOER has developed a new system for automated drone inspection. It combines visual inertial odometry (VIO) with 3D registration, using the GPU-accelerated Stein ICP algorithm. It also fuses deep learning-based geometric feature descriptors with VIO to estimate a fast and accurate online localization. This approach allows for the automation of drone inspections in a structured environment, such as water ballast tanks on marine vessels.
EZ10
Recognized internationally, EZ10 is the leading French manufacturer of drones and robots dedicated to inspection in confined spaces. Their confined space drone turns days of internal inspections into hours and reduces costs without increasing hazards. It eliminates the need for scaffolding and avoids confined spaces entry or working at height, saving time and keeping inspectors out of harm’s way.
Elios 2 is the most intuitive and reliable indoor inspection drone that enables users to perform safe, fast and cost effective inspections. Its patented collision-resilience system allows it to fly into and around complex assets, even beyond line of sight, without any human intervention. Its oblique lighting system makes looking for pitting, cracks or build-ups as natural as with a flashlight. Its Cockpit 2.0 lets users prepare inspection reports on the go.
Key Features of Inspection Robots and Drones
Inspection robots and drones are equipped with advanced technologies to ensure accurate and efficient inspections. These features enhance their capabilities and make them indispensable tools for confined space inspections.
High-Resolution Cameras
High-resolution cameras are crucial for capturing detailed images and videos. They allow inspectors to identify defects, corrosion, and other issues that may not be visible to the naked eye.
Thermal Imaging
Thermal imaging sensors detect temperature variations, helping to identify hotspots, leaks, and insulation failures. This technology is particularly useful in industries like oil and gas, where temperature anomalies can indicate potential hazards.
LiDAR Sensors
LiDAR sensors use laser beams to create detailed 3D maps of the inspection area. This technology is invaluable for inspecting complex structures and identifying structural issues.
Remote Control and Automation
Many inspection robots and drones can be controlled remotely, allowing operators to guide them through confined spaces from a safe distance. Some models also offer automation features, enabling them to perform inspections autonomously.
Applications of Robots and Drones in Different Industries
Inspection robots and drones are transforming various industries by providing safer and more efficient inspection methods. Here are some examples of how different sectors are benefiting from this technology.
Oil and Gas Industry
In the oil and gas industry, inspection robots and drones are used to inspect pipelines, storage tanks, and offshore platforms. They help identify corrosion, leaks, and structural damage, ensuring the safety and integrity of critical infrastructure.
Mining Industry
The mining industry utilizes robots and drones to inspect underground tunnels, shafts, and processing plants. These machines can access hazardous areas, reducing the risk to human inspectors and improving overall safety.
Construction Industry
In the construction industry, inspection robots and drones are used to inspect buildings, bridges, and other structures. They help identify defects, assess structural integrity, and monitor construction progress.
Power Generation Industry
The power generation industry relies on inspection robots and drones to inspect power plants, turbines, and transmission lines. These machines help identify wear and tear, ensuring the reliability and efficiency of power generation infrastructure.
Water Treatment Industry
The water treatment industry uses inspection robots and drones to inspect reservoirs, water tanks, and sewage systems. They help identify leaks, blockages, and other issues, ensuring the safety and efficiency of water treatment processes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, inspection robots and drones are transforming the way we approach confined space inspections. Their ability to enhance safety, improve efficiency, and offer cost-effective solutions makes them indispensable tools for various industries. As technology continues to advance, the potential of these devices will only grow, further revolutionizing the field of inspections.
By investing in inspection robots and drones, companies can ensure the safety of their workers, protect their assets, and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to harness the power of these technological marvels. Explore how they can benefit your business today.