UK Power Networks has ventured into an innovative trial featuring the utilization of a robotic dog, affectionately named ‘Spot,’ to revolutionize maintenance inspections within confined spaces. The trial underscores Spot’s potential to significantly reduce the duration of maintenance checks by up to 50%, ensuring greater efficiency and safety for staff involved in critical network tasks.
Spot, a creation of US-based company Boston Dynamics, bears resemblance to a labrador and employs remote guidance to navigate the intricacies of maintenance sites. The robotic companion is equipped with an array of lights, cameras, and advanced thermal imaging sensors, enabling it to access hard-to-reach locations and capture comprehensive data.
In a groundbreaking partnership with Arup, a renowned engineering and built environment consultancy, UK Power Networks has harnessed Spot’s capabilities to establish a cutting-edge solution. Arup’s machine-learning interface, integrated into its web platform, is harnessed to analyze the condition of tunnels and equipment with heightened precision. This synergy of technology empowers UK Power Networks to optimize maintenance inspections, ensuring the reliability of underground cables while swiftly assessing the evolving condition of infrastructure.
Ian Cameron, Director of Customer Service and Innovation at UK Power Networks, hailed the success of the initiative, emphasizing its potential to significantly enhance staff safety during inspections in tunnels and shafts. He noted, “This is cutting-edge technology, allowing us to focus on other areas of the network and potentially saving our customers money in the process.”
The collaborative venture with Arup offers an avenue to bolster understanding of asset conditions while simultaneously elevating health and safety practices. Mike Devriendt, Project Director at Arup, praised the partnership and the prospect it holds for optimizing asset management. He articulated, “We see great opportunity for the use of both the hardware and software technology to support UK Power Networks with improving their understanding of the condition of their assets while at the same time improving health and safety practices.”
This innovative approach aligns with UK Power Networks’ commitment to safety, efficiency, and technological advancement. As the trial paves the way for a potential transformation of maintenance operations, the combined efforts of robotic assistance and advanced analytics could yield substantial cost savings while fostering a safer and more streamlined infrastructure management process.
