My colleague Pim and I were guests at TU Delft this month at 'The Green Village'. The purpose of our visit was the kick-off of a SMITZH project that we are going to execute with the Do IoT Fieldlab.
A very special project indeed! Because how will 5G robots help investigate (explosion) hazardous situations in the oil and gas industry?
ExRobotics' autonomous robot detects gas leaks
The project that we are working on together with the Do IoT Field Lab are going to roll out, is the research of ExRobotics. Their robot is used in the oil and gas industry. It supports operators in investigating potentially dangerous situations, for example the leakage of volatile gases such as methane.
The robot operates completely autonomously thanks to the powerful computer with Artificial Intelligence on board. This means it is aware of its surroundings. In addition, the robot can navigate independently through a complex space. It can also detect and avoid obstacles itself. The robots are mainly used at unmanned (industrial) locations.
Under the inspiring leadership of ExRobotics CEO Iwan de Waard, we are now going to make their independently operating robot 5G-ready.
ExRobotics a fine example of Dutch innovation
ExRobotics is a great example of Dutch innovation in robotics. Iwan and his partners have been active for a number of years at various large oil and gas companies around the world. Their robots currently use 4G technology.
The aim of this project, for which SMITZH has granted a subsidy, is to investigate what 5G can mean for this robotics solution. In addition, we are also looking at how this solution could be deployed worldwide.
The robot is ATEX certified. This means that the robot meets the European guidelines for explosion safety and can therefore be used in gas and dust explosion hazards. However, this certification does make the total solution extra challenging.
Testing on 5G network of Do IoT Fieldlab
In the coming months, we will be conducting various tests on the 5G network of Do IoT Fieldlab on the grounds of The Green Village (on the TU Delft Campus). I am very much looking forward to supervising these studies and tests together with ExRobotics, TUDelft, SURF and TNO.
From MCS we will provide the connectivity. In addition, together with TNO we will investigate and map the possibilities for a scalable application for ExRobotics.
We aim to demonstrate a first live action of the robot on 5G during Sprint Robotics World Conference. This year's event will be held on 27 and 28 September at the RAI in Amsterdam.
More information
Would you like more information about this project of the Do IoT Fieldlab? Here read more about ExRobotics and their goal to make robots 5G-ready.
Want to get started with 5G yourself? We have developed a 5G mobile kit. Together with you, we would like to look at the possibilities for your organization. Take Contact Please contact us for more information.
Written by Bas Piek
Nederlands