Swiss-based ANYbotics launched a new robotic inspection solution today. The system is designed for the remote inspection of energy and industrial processing plants, and promises to help provide round the clock inspection in facilities that are difficult to patrol. The ANYmal D robot is a four-legged autonomous mobile robot platform that is able to carry a camera and sensor array on its back, while it maneuvers over difficult terrain, including stairs. It is the fourth generation of the ANYmal robot.

ANYmal D can be easily trained to understand the patrol path within your facility. From there, operators simply kick off a patrol mission and let the ANYmal do all the work. If the robot senses something peculiar or out of place during its mission, it will notify the operator, so that a human can check out the situation.

Relix Volkman, Asset Manager at BASF said, “We have different inspection tours in our plant — some take place daily, some even several times a day, to ensure the plant’s condition. We intend to increase the inspection quality through automated documentation without installing additional sensors on-site.”   

ANYbotics is focusing on applications where up-to-date and reliable data on the equipment’s health is essential for effective and efficient industrial operations. Data is continuously collected by a set of cameras and sensors located on ANYmal’s back. This data is stored and evaluated for extraneous signals. ANYmal can provide round the clock inspection patrols throughout your facility, to deliver a continuous stream of data. If the robot sees something out of place or outside of expected tolerances, a remote operator can then tele-operate the ANYmal robot to double check a sensor reading before dispatching a human to the site. ANYmal is especially well-suited to patrol areas of your facility that may be hazardous to humans, while providing the continuous data stream.

Currently, applications in the energy, processing, and construction industries are prime for ANYmal deployment. Any industrial environment that consists of complex structures, overhangs, items on the floor, stairs or tight spaces can be difficult for a traditional wheeled AMR to maneuver. ANYmal represents a new class of quadruped AMR’s that can leverage their unique flexibility to step over, around or under a variety of obstacles. The robots are able to automatically locate their chargers and recharge without any human interaction. ANYmal could be deployed in a remote facility where no humans are present and function as the eyes and ears of a remote team of operators. The robot is built for harsh environments, and is IP67 water- and dust-proof ingress protected for use in indoor and outdoor environments in all weather conditions.

Rolf Claude, Head Engineering Services – RAM/LCC, Stadler Services AG said: “Without a doubt, the collaboration with ANYbotics got my team thinking differently about maintenance and inspection. We see significant potential for an autonomous mobile robot to standardize our protocols and improve the quality of the data we’re collecting.”

ANYbotics is currently taking pre-orders and will start delivering its new ANYmal D units to customers in the second half of 2021.