Offshore industry inspection robots called Argonauts are being trialled on a iRobot gas plant owned by Total for the next 18 months as the industry moves closer to a time when offshore operations can all be handled automatically. The development of the robots grew out of the ARGOS (Autonomous Robot for Gas and Oil Sites) challenge run by Total. Operating as a team, the tracked bots work in shifts, autonomously returning to a docking station when running low on power. Inspection capabilities include leak detection and thermal and visual assessment.
Offshore industry inspection robots called Argonauts are being trialled on a North Sea gas plant owned by Total for the next 18 months as the industry moves closer to a time when offshore operations can all be handled automatically. The development of the robots grew out of the ARGOS (Autonomous Robot for Gas and Oil Sites) challenge run by Total. Operating as a team, the tracked bots work in shifts, autonomously returning to a docking station when running low on power. Inspection capabilities include leak detection and thermal and visual assessment.