“Conducted as an open innovation project, it emphasises the maturity of Total’s R&D initiatives and establishes the group as a world leader in autonomous terrestrial robotics for oil and gas activities.” French major Total E&P is developing the oil and gas industry 's first - ever autonomous surface robot , capable of undertaking inspections , reading and recording measurements and detecting anomalies . The prototype will be tested at Total 's Shetland Islands ' oil treatment plant at the end of 2019 , with a view to international roll - out from 2020 . Credence Research estimates the inspection robots market will grow at an annual rate of 10 % between 2018 and 2026 .
French major Total E&P is developing the oil and gas industry 's first - ever autonomous surface robot , capable of undertaking inspections , reading and recording measurements and detecting anomalies . The prototype will be tested at Total 's Shetland Islands ' oil treatment plant at the end of 2019 , with a view to international roll - out from 2020 . Credence Research estimates the inspection robots market will grow at an annual rate of 10 % between 2018 and 2026 .