The world’s first Ex-proof legged robot could be a game changer for operations and safety in the chemical and oil & gas industries. Chemical Industry Journal looks at its potential.
ANYmal X is designed and certified for use in hazardous and potentially explosive environments.
Created by Swiss robotics company ANYbotics, the robot looks set to automate routine inspections for infrastructure where flammable and potentially explosive matter is processed.
These inspections often have to be carried out close to potentially hazardous environments, meaning all on-site equipment must be Ex-certified as safe for use. All equipment used in these areas must be guaranteed not to cause an explosion, even in the presence of high levels of combustible substances.
Robot inspection solutions reduce HSE risks and OPEX, including the high cost of moving inspection specialists offshore. ANYmal X tasks could include visual inspections and automated readouts of analog instruments such as gauges, liquid level, and lever positions, advanced thermography and vibration analysis, and 3d infrastructure scanning. It is also equipped with gas detection sensors and integrates as an end-to-end solution through its software API with asset management software and digital twin platforms.
Plant operators could potentially benefit from reduced manual input, less human exposure to hazards, no facility inspection shutdowns, less unplanned downtime, improved workflows due to better data tagging, automatic reporting, and insights that enable swift operations changes.
The robot was unveiled at the recent Offshore Technology Conference in Malaysia, with the signing of a commercial agreement between ANYbotics and PETRONAS which aims to scale deployment and promote ANYmal across the industry until 2025.
Péter Fankhauser, CEO, ANYbotics, said: “Several partners are including ANYmal X in their inspection and workforce planning. We are thrilled about this industry-wide impact to improve the safety and efficiency of operations in Oil & Gas and Chemicals through our robotic solution.”
Energy company PETRONAS has been spearheading the integration of autonomous, legged Ex-certified robots with the needs of the oil and gas industry by partnering with ANYbotics to co-develop ANYmal X since 2019. Additionally, several global operators have already signed up for the ANYmal X onboarding program, including Equinor, Petrobras, Woodside and Shell.
Ex-certified robots are typically bulky, slow, and lack the mobility required to navigate the complex, multi-level nature of typical industrial facilities. The challenge of packing all inspection robot capabilities and performance into an Ex-proof system was a serious undertaking and required ANYbotics to completely rethink how they develop robots.
“Having ANYmal X Ex-certified up to Zone 1 will really enable us to bring the robot very close to our process area, and that’s where you create value,” said Iskandar Al-Thani Mahmood, Manager (Robotics), PETRONAS.
For safe usage in hazardous and potentially explosive environments, all systems need protection against any gas ignition. Robots work with motors, electronics, batteries, and in ANYmal X’s case, self-contained systems, so temperature control requires complex thermal management.
No suitable components exist yet, so ANYbotics developed the necessary high-performance components for their advanced thermal management system. In addition, the ANYmal X drivetrain needed multiple-redundancy protection. Such systems are not typically found in robots, so the team effectively re-engineered standard heavy machinery protocols to meet their weight, mobility, and Ex-requirements.
“Integrating autonomous robots into Oil & Gas and Chemical workforces is now not only possible, but effortless,” claimed Mario Mauerer, CTO Hardware, ANYbotics.
Details at ANYmal X.
