ExRobotics IDS system helps minimize production risks

ExRobotics, headquartered in Halstern (Netherlands) is one of the leading organizations in the field of using robots to minimize production risks. ExRobotics products can replace the operator’s sight, smell, touch and arm. The Dutch manufacturer has integrated the image processing capabilities of industrial cameras to optimize the features of its image recognition system (IDS) for its robots.

For some manufacturers, working under extreme conditions is inevitable. Therefore, a number of robots have been developed to replace humans operating in these environments. From years of experience cooperating with multinational oil and gas organization, ExRobotics has produced a series of robots to inspect and monitor dangerous areas. The main target market is not only unattended oil and gas facilities in extreme climates or places with high risk potential, but also some other markets such as nuclear industry, mining, energy and chemistry.

The company attaches great importance to ensuring the quality standard certification of all robots at IECEX Zone 1 or ATEX level at a stable level and thereby complying with international or European directives on fire and explosion prevention.

The idea is generally simple but very clever: The equipment will communicate with people in the control room safely through wireless networking and the operator does not need to step into dangerous areas. In addition, travel time and costs will be eliminated. Controlling multiple robots at the same time whether under the sea or on land is easy, and humans can control a few hundred or several thousand kilometers away.

Samir El Awadi, commercial director of ExRobotics, said that they had successfully operated the robot within 9500km; A robot at his factory was driven from Brazil (the other side of the world). This shows that the idea of ​​using robots instead of humans is very feasible; and it plays an important role in the oil industries of the Middle East, North America and the Far East.

Although this robot system is quite new and has not been implemented with surface oil and gas facilities, ExRobotics has received trust and attention from many parts of the world. By the end of 2018, the first project in NAM, a Dutch joint venture between Shell and ExonMobil will go into operation, the first 10 robots will be used at temperatures from -20 to +50 degrees Celsius. The robot series is designed with sensors and vibration that serve as the eyes and ears of humans. The robot automatically navigates between positions and communicates with the operator when it is ready to enter and check. White lines and other signaling signs, such as beacons, are used as navigation aids.

In short, ExRobotics robots are not just automated tools; but they will become independent helpers to keep people safe when needed.

Productivity and Quality Office