Called Flipper-based Oil & Gas ATEX Intelligent Robotics System (Foxiris), the robot is based on the European Space Agency’s ExoMars rover. It is designed to tackle risks posed to labor in oil and gas industry.
The robot features navigation sensors and scientific instruments, which are designed to inspect pressure dials, valves and level gauges, detect hot surfaces, sound alarms and identify gas leaks.
The technology is being developed as part of Total’s Autonomous Robot for Gas and Oil Sites (Argos) competition, intended to promote creation of robots for hydrocarbon production sites in extreme conditions.
Total Argos project manager Kris Kydd said: "We want the robot to be able to move anywhere on a production facility that a human can go today.
"Then, using artificial intelligence, we want the robots to be able to read and record the values on the instrumentation, and to know autonomously whether they are normal or not. If there is an abnormal situation, the robot has to alert the remote operator."
Robots being developed under the competition have completed the first series of tests in France last month. Second round of the trial is planned to be conducted in March 2016.
Image: Foxiris incorporates flippers at the front and back to allow it to manage stairs and traverse pipes. Photo: courtesy of Total / V. Li Vigni-Kavanagh.