HausBots: De-risking the inspection of industrial storage tanks, via a cost efficient, wall climbing, ultrasonic probe robot that generates 3D visual representations of hazardous industrial confined spaces

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HausBots seeks to drastically de-risk industrial storage tank inspection, via a cost-efficient, wall climbing robot that generates 3D visual representations of hazardous, industrial confined spaces.Inspection of industrial assets such as storage tanks is expensive and dangerous. If work at height is involved, then scaffolding, rope access or platforms need to be used for access. Use of this equipment can often incur ~50% of project costs in rental or lease, which can regularly be in the region of +£100k for inspections. Furthermore, confined spaces can present issues such as chemical exposure risk, therefore subject to strict health and safety regulations.In this project, HausBots focuses on internal and external non-ferrous tank inspections, where existing state-of-the-art solutions either do not function, or have a limited capacity. To enable this, HausBots will redesign the existing HB1 robot, which uses a patent pending 'downward force' technique that allows a robot to climb vertical or horizontal surfaces, of any material type.Adaptations will produce HB1800, a miniaturisation of existing HB1 technology, allowing the robot to adhere to a smaller diameter of storage tank (1800mm+), along with integration of state-of-the-art ultrasonic thickness measurement sensors and 3D visualisation camera feeds. In addition, HausBots will develop custom asset visualisation software, enabling clients to inspect assets 3D, and combine both visual data and ultrasonic data in an online portal of the inspected tank.Project outputs are expected to:* Reduce working at height, leading to cost-efficiency gains and improve safety* Reduce workplace deaths and injuries associated with entering confined spaces* Allow cost-efficient, frequent inspections, further de-risking industrial operational environments