Two leaders in the robotics industry have partnered to enable the world’s smallest underwater robotic arm to be used in mining infrastructure ensuring regular inspection and maintenance is able to be done safely.
Perth-based robotic inspection and testing solution provider Nexxis has entered a partnership agreement and development collaboration with Blueprint Lab, an Australian robotics company that develops advanced robotic arms for harsh environments.
Blueprint Lab’s Reach Alpha, the world’s smallest underwater robotic arm, will be used by clients including top-side petrochemical companies to support the inspection and maintenance of their assets.
Nexxis founder and chief executive officer Jason De Silveira said the partnership was great news for these industries, ensuring ongoing access to the latest smart technologies.
“We look forward to continuing to collaborate and develop together while solving both customer and industry challenges with the right solutions,” he said.
“Petrol and chemical processing facilities and mining and renewable energy sites have infrastructure that needs regular inspection and maintenance.
“Our exciting partnership will enable Blueprint Lab’s robotic arms to be integrated on Nexxis platforms, utilising our state-of-the-art software and technology to offer a complete comprehensive solution for clients tailored to their individual requirements.”
The technology will be focussed at onshore facilities in target regions of Western Australia and Houston, Texas, where Nexxis has operations.
BluePrint Lab’s robotic arms are used in all kinds of harsh environments, mainly subsea, but the applications can be easily transferred to above water situations.
The cutting-edge robotic arm technology will be able to access confined spaces and hazardous areas which pose a risk to human operators and will have capabilities including inspecting the condition of pipes and other infrastructure, checking for corrosion or cracking and recovering debris.
“Nexxis is a leading petrochemical robotics company with a huge amount of industry knowledge and a global presence,” Blueprint Lab business development manager Anders Ridley-Smith said.
“We see great value in this collaboration. Nexxis knows the industry’s needs and we look forward to working together to develop specific solutions for our customers.”