In context
In late 2023, the oil and gas industry was increasingly exploring robotics and AI to enhance safety and efficiency in hazardous environments. The push toward unmanned offshore platforms highlighted the need for certified robots capable of operating in explosive atmospheres, making this collaboration a notable step in industrial automation.
What was reported
Aker BP, Cognite, and ANYbotics partnered to test ANYmal X, the only Ex-certified legged robot, for autonomous inspections on the Valhall platform in the North Sea. The trials covered 70 inspection points across two decks, with missions planned via ANYbotics Workforce and data analyzed in Cognite Data Fusion.
The integration used the ANYmal API to stream live data into digital twins, enabling real-time equipment location, analytics, and reporting. Onshore operators could also take over missions remotely for first responder scenarios, testing reliability, false alarm responses, and 4G connectivity.
The deployment is part of Aker BP's goal to enable unmanned operations for selected platforms by 2027-2029, potentially reducing helicopter transfers. The tests validated the robot's performance in Ex-rated zones under harsh weather conditions.
Why it mattered
This deployment demonstrated the feasibility of integrating Ex-certified legged robots with digital twin platforms for remote inspections, a key enabler for fully unmanned offshore installations. It showcased how combining robotics with AI-powered data platforms can improve safety, operational efficiency, and data-driven decision-making in the energy sector.
"We need Ex-certified robots like ANYmal X to be able to use robots offshore."
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2023-12-11 · “ANYbotics provides four-legged robot to inspect offshore oil rigs in Europe”