Overview

ANYmal X is the explosion-proof variant of the Swiss inspection robot and was presented in 2023. For the first time, this makes it possible to deploy a legged robot in Zone 1, that is, where an explosive gas atmosphere occasionally occurs during normal operation. Among the first users are Petronas, Shell, Equinor, Woodside, BASF and Petrobras.

Design

At 89 centimeters in length, 65 centimeters in width and 87 centimeters in standing height, the robot is compact, but at 60.1 kilograms including the inspection module and gas sensor, it is significantly heavier than the research variants of the ANYmal family. The protection principle is remarkable: the fuselage is pressurized and filled with nitrogen, so that no flammable atmosphere enters the housing. A circumferential bumper, carrying handles, a red emergency stop button and a warning light complete the construction. The spare battery alone weighs 5.5 kilograms and is itself protected to IP67.

Technology and AI

The certification is IECEx Ex db eb ib op is pxb sb IIB T4 Gb as well as ATEX II 2G IIB T4, plus an emergency stop function according to ISO 13849-1 Category 3. On board are two Intel Core i7 eighth generation processors running Ubuntu 20.04. The sensor suite includes a 16-channel lidar with 300,000 points per second, depth and teleoperation cameras, a zoom camera with twenty-fold magnification, a thermal imaging camera from minus 10 to plus 400 degrees, and a microphone. The robot moves at up to one meter per second, half a meter is recommended, and achieves 2.5 kilometers per charge.

Market Significance

A legged robot in a refinery may sound like a niche application at first, but it is valuable precisely where humans are only allowed to work with an entry permit and protective equipment. ANYbotics has gained a head start with ANYmal X that no other manufacturer has yet caught up with. The company does not disclose a price.