The ability to implement new digital solutions is a crucial enabler of the energy transition. In collaboration with Equinor, ANYbotics has extensively tested ANYmal X in K-Lab at Equinor’s test facilities at Kårstø. ANYmal X completed five weeks of pre-configured tests in various Ex-zones.
The ANYmal X was evaluated at the K-Lab test facility at Kårstø on the west-coast of Norway. K-Lab is a full scale test facility located within the gas processing plant and it contains Ex-zones where hydrocarbons are actively being processed in the pipes. The test focused on operational autonomy, removing humans from dangerous areas, and data integration within Equinor software platforms.
ANYmal X inspected various equipment and instrumentation assets through preset visual and thermal measurements. As an important part of the test scope, ANYmal X digitally mapped large areas of the facility and created detailed point clouds used for navigation. The ANYmal X was found to have great mobility both in stairs and in traversing obstacles, allowing the robot to access locations otherwise difficult to reach for a robot.
ANYmal X completed over 30 autonomous inspection missions on multiple levels. The majority of the inspection missions were conducted autonomously, with high repeatability. Besides the autonomous operation, selected missions were successfully operated remotely via LTE and VPN connections using the tablet UI. During the five weeks of deployment, ANYmal X performed in challenging weather conditions with wind speeds of 20 m/s, heavy rain, and 0°C temperatures.
ANYmal X was tested in an Ex-rated full-scale test facility with the help of ANYbotics Workforce. The user interface [UI] was used to quickly set up and verify missions and found to be intuitive for use by new users. To further accelerate implementation, ANYbotics provided a simulation model before going on-site. Initially, ANYbotics engineers assisted Equinor field engineers on-site, enabling them to operate ANYmal X independently for the remaining weeks.
ANYmal X integrated with Equinor's robot platform via its API and ROS. During inspection missions at the Kårstø facility, inspection data provided by ANYmal X integrated into Equinor's robot-independent inspection platform using open-source Flotilla and ISAR management software.
Through the Early Adopters Program, ANYmal X has demonstrated its ability to perform automated inspections at the Kårstø gas processing plant. A detailed test report shows positive results and highlights ANYmal X improvements going forward.
Long and extensive missions at K-Lab showed that ANYmal X may reduce human involvement in night work through autonomous inspections and work at height through remote inspections and can contribute to plant integrity through continuous monitoring.
Interested in exploring ANYmal's potential to transform your operations? Reach out to our team at [email protected] or 478-315-0812.