Businesses Embracing Drones are Expanding into Other Robotics Fields, According to Recent Study
In the realm of industrial inspections, the integration of robotics technology is revolutionizing the way companies approach challenging environments. Large industrial entities are increasingly turning to ground-based, aerial, and underwater robots to improve efficiency, accuracy, safety, and automation.
Ground-based robots are industrial robots equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced machine vision. They are employed in various industries, such as automotive manufacturing, for tasks like inspecting welded connections, quality control, and material handling. By automating repetitive physical tasks, these robots enable rapid, reliable inspections and optimize workflows [1][2][5].
Aerial robots (drones) are widely deployed in industries like energy, construction, and manufacturing. Equipped with high-resolution cameras and AI-based inspection algorithms, drones can efficiently detect minute defects, surface anomalies, or faults in hard-to-reach structures such as pipelines, power lines, and large machinery [2][3]. This approach significantly reduces risks and costs associated with manual inspections.
Underwater robots, including autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), are extensively used in the marine, offshore oil & gas, and underwater infrastructure sectors. These systems carry advanced sensors, imaging technologies, and navigation systems to perform hydrographic surveys, inspect submerged structures, and monitor environmental conditions autonomously or via remote control [4].
Key benefits across these robot types include substantial reductions in inspection programming time and operational costs through AI-driven automation, higher accuracy and consistency in defect detection and classification, improved safety by limiting human exposure to hazardous locations, and integration of software platforms that enable centralized control, real-time monitoring, and fleet coordination across heterogeneous robotic systems [3].
The synergy of AI, machine vision, and robotics in ground, aerial, and underwater platforms is transforming industrial inspections by making them faster, safer, and more reliable. As companies become more aware of the capabilities of these robots, adoption is likely to grow, with 63% of companies in the Energy and Utility sector that already use drones planning to adopt other types of robots [6].
Interestingly, companies are not limiting themselves to a single type of robot. DroneAnalyst's report indicates that companies are already using other types of robots in addition to drones, with 17% of companies with drone programs having already bought some other type of robot [7]. Quadruped systems are the most commonly used ground-based robots among companies that have bought other types of robots [8].
Moreover, companies with drone programs are planning to buy other types of robots, with 22% of companies planning to do so [2]. This trend presents an opportunity for drone companies and service providers to partner with other robotics companies, acquire them, or launch their own robotics divisions.
One example of this collaboration can be seen in MFE Inspection Solutions, which equips Boston Dynamics' Spot robot with gas-detecting sensors and acoustic sensors for inspections [9]. This partnership demonstrates the potential for synergies between different types of robots, as companies choose the tool that best suits the work they plan to do.
However, it's important to note that crawlers are unlikely to replace drones, or vice versa, in their respective tasks. Each robot type excels in its specific domain, and the demand for inspection drones is likely to increase as they continue to develop and carry more types of sensors [10].
In conclusion, the integration of robotics technology in industrial inspections is reshaping the industry, making inspections faster, safer, and more reliable. As companies continue to embrace these technologies, the benefits are likely to be far-reaching, transforming the way industries operate and improving the bottom line for businesses worldwide.
References: [1] https://www.robotics.org/technology-development/articles/2021/01/ai-powered-robots-inspect-welds-in-automotive-plants [2] https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2020/05/26/how-ai-is-transforming-the-industrial-inspection-process/?sh=33c2f96f3c2b [3] https://www.droneanalyst.com/2021/02/24/robotics-industry-report-drones-and-robots-in-industry-2021/ [4] https://www.marinetechnologynews.com/article/2020/09/23/the-future-of-underwater-robotics-in-offshore-inspections [5] https://www.robotics.org/technology-development/articles/2019/07/ai-powered-robots-to-inspect-automotive-parts [6] https://www.droneanalyst.com/2021/02/24/robotics-industry-report-drones-and-robots-in-industry-2021/ [7] https://www.droneanalyst.com/2021/02/24/robotics-industry-report-drones-and-robots-in-industry-2021/ [8] https://www.droneanalyst.com/2021/02/24/robotics-industry-report-drones-and-robots-in-industry-2021/ [9] https://www.mfeinspection.com/news/mfe-inspection-solutions-partners-with-boston-dynamics-to-provide-gas-detection-and-acoustic-inspection-services-with-spot-robots [10] https://www.droneanalyst.com/2021/02/24/robotics-industry-report-drones-and-robots-in-industry-2021/
- The energy industry increasingly uses drones, which are aerial robots equipped with high-resolution cameras and AI-based inspection algorithms, to detect minute defects in hard-to-reach structures like pipelines and power lines.
- Companies are not just limiting themselves to using drones; they are also purchasing other types of robots, such as ground-based quadruped systems, for various industrial tasks.
- In the business of industrial inspections, the synergy of AI, machine vision, and robotics technology is transforming the industry, making inspections faster, safer, and more reliable, and integration of software platforms enables centralized control and real-time monitoring across different types of robotic systems.
- As the demand for inspection drones continues to increase, companies are planning to adopt other types of robots, presenting an opportunity for drone companies and service providers to collaborate with other robotics companies, acquire them, or launch their own robotics divisions.
