www.roboticsbusinessreview.com Open in urlscan Pro
2606:4700:3036::ac43:88a1  Public Scan

Form analysis
1 forms found in the DOM

GET https://www.roboticsbusinessreview.com/

<form class="search-form" method="get" action="https://www.roboticsbusinessreview.com/" role="search"><input class="search-form-input" type="search" name="s" id="searchform-1" placeholder="Search this website"><input class="search-form-submit"
    type="submit" value="GO">
  <meta content="https://www.roboticsbusinessreview.com/?s={s}">
</form>

Text Content

Robotics Business Review



 * Home
 * Analysis / Opinion
   * RBR Analysis
   * RBR Opinion
   * RBR Interviews
 * Business
   * Management
   * Workforce
   * Start-Ups
     * RBR Start-Up Profiles
     * RBR Start-Up Insights
   * Social Good
   * Investment
   * Transaction Database
 * Markets / Industries
   * Agriculture
   * Construction / Demolition
   * Consumer
   * Defense / Security
   * Energy / Mining
   * Health / Medical
   * Logistics / Supply Chain
   * Manufacturing
   * Public Safety
   * Retail
   * Robotics Development
   * Utilities
 * Resources
   * Websites
     * The Robot Report
     * Mobile Robot Guide
     * Collaborative Robotics Trends
   * Webinars / Digital Events
   * Case Studies
   * Company Directory
   * Podcasts
   * Research
 * Events
   * Robotics Summit
   * RoboBusiness
   * Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
   * Field Robotics Engineerng Forum
   * Robotics Weeks
   * R&D 100
 * RBR50
   * RBR50 2022
     * RBR50 2022 Honorees
   * RBR50 2021
     * RBR50 2021 Honorees
     * RBR50 2021 Digital Edition
   * RBR50 2020
     * RBR50 2020 Honorees
     * RBR50 2020 Digital Edition
 * 




IDS PROVIDES ‘ROBOT EYES’ FOR POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE ENVIRONMENTS

ExRobotics, a Dutch maker of remote-controlled systems for the oil and gas
industry, uses IDS products because of their cost and hardware and software
capabilities.

IDS provides cameras to ExRobotics in the service of safety. Source: IDS

By RBR Staff | November 14, 2018

FacebookTwitterRedditLinkedInPinterestShare

Rough and inhospitable, extremely hot or cold, fire or explosion hazard. Robots
for routine and ad hoc safety checks in unmanned systems are used wherever
people are reluctant to be present. ExRobotics B.V. in Halsteren, the
Netherlands, is a leading expert in this field. Its products replace the sight,
hearing, smell, touch, and hands of users. The Dutch manufacturer relies on
image processing with industrial cameras from IDS Imaging Development Systems
GmbH.

In certain industrial areas, working under extreme conditions is essential.
Robots are increasingly being used to minimize the risk for employees. Based on
the experience of many years of cooperation with a multinational oil and gas
group, ExRobotics has developed a series of robots especially for the inspection
and monitoring of hazardous areas.

The main target market is unmanned oil and gas facilities in harsh climatic
zones or with a particularly high risk potential, but also markets such as the
nuclear, mining, energy and chemical industries.

The company attaches great importance to ensuring that all robots are IECEX Zone
1 or ATEX-certified at component level and thus comply with international or
European directives for explosion protection. Thus, ExRobotics can produce
modular systems faster without having to create a new certificate for every
possible configuration.

The basic idea is as simple as it is ingenious: The devices communicate with an
operator in a secure control room via a wireless network. Human operators do not
have to enter the danger zone.

In addition, travel time and costs are eliminated. Whether on land or at sea,
the control of several robots at different locations at the same time is just
easily possible. And this from a distance of several hundred or even thousand
kilometers.

“We have shown that we can operate the robot over a distance of 9,500 km,” said
Samir El Awadi, commercial director at ExRobotics, referring to a recent test.

A robot at the ExRobotics plant in the Netherlands was controlled from the other
side of the world, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This is a crucial point, as a
broad reach is essential for the main players in the oil and gas industry in the
Middle East, North America and the Far East.

The robots of the first generation — ExR-1 — operate purely by remote control.
This means that they always need an operator to control and guide them.

“Our first-generation products rely on human eyes to interpret the images they
see,” explained El Awadi. “However, we’re working to add machine vision, thus
reducing the load on humans. In particular, we’re working on gas plume and
vibration detection.”

Source: IDS

The further-developed ‘big brother,’ the ExR-1.1, is therefore already designed
for the independent performance of routine security checks.

The user has the choice of operating the robot directly from a distance,
typically via the public 4G network, or allowing it to operate autonomously. In
this case, the operator reacts only to warning messages and can check the
monitoring information later if necessary.

ExR-1.1 is also engineered for self-coupling and self-charging, with a maximum
of 2 maintenance intervals per year.

Different sensors of the robot serve as eyes and ears of the operator. It is
fitted with a microphone for sound monitoring. In addition, there are three uEye
cameras on board: a USB 3.0 UI-3591LE-C-HQ with 18 megapixel sensor for forward
viewing, zoom, and inspection, and two USB 2.0 UI-1461LE-C-HQ cameras with 3.1
megapixels for navigation.

The robot automatically navigates between the inspection locations and contacts
the operator when it is on site and ready for inspection. White lines and other
signal signs, such as beacons, are used as orientation aids.


WHY IDS CAMERAS?

Robustness and reliability, even in extreme heat and cold, were two of the
decisive criteria when selecting the camera. IDS cameras also support the
standard vision interfaces. Of course, the implemented sensors and the speed of
the models also played an important role.

The UI-3591LE camera from IDS.

The USB 3.0 model UI-3591LE-C-HQ offers a very high resolution with its 18
megapixel CMOS color sensor from ON Semiconductor. The extremely light-sensitive
single-board camera captures the smallest details and is particularly suitable
for shots with variable object distances and changing light conditions — ideal
for the purposes of ExRobotics.

Thanks to its minimal size, the cost-effective and versatile project camera
offers an easy, space-saving integration. Also, the USB 2.0 UI-1461LE-C-HQ with
its very light-sensitive CMOS sensor also from ON Semiconductor meets all
requirements.

The ½” large-format sensor with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels renders
extremely low noise performance with extraordinary color accuracy. The
cost-effective, compact board-level camera offers 2 GPIOs, trigger and flash as
well as an I²C bus for triggering external devices.

ExRobotics used the uEye API — part of the comprehensive IDS Software
Development Kit (SDK) — to integrate the cameras into its system. The SDK or IDS
Software Suite for Windows and Linux (32- and 64-bit) is included and identical
for all models, no matter if with USB 3.1 Gen 1, USB 3.0, USB 2.0 or GigE
connection.

On top of that, ExRobotics has developed its own specific software with which
the images of the robot can be processed. This includes some very user-friendly
zoom and snap functions. These are important and necessary for monitoring and
for detailed images during inspection.

“Robots are new to surface oil and gas facilities, but they are gaining
credibility, and we are receiving inquiries from around the world,” said El
Awadi. “We will be deploying 10 robots at NAM’s, a Dutch joint venture between
Shell and ExonMobil, in the second half of 2018. This will be a world first.”


MORE ON MACHINE VISION:

 * Intel NCS 2 Designed to Accelerate AI Applications at the Edge
 * IDS Strengthens Presence in South Korea, a Key Image-Processing Market
 * Veo Robotics Brings Collaboration to Industrial Robots
 * Furniture Assembly Gets All Set With 3D Vision, Robot Arms
 * MIT Researchers Create Robot That Can Pick Up Any Object After Seeing It
 * IDS to Present New Products at Machine Vision Trade Fair
 * Transformative Technologies Shape the Future of Manufacturing, Says Report
 * Robot Investments Weekly: Machine Vision Firms Seeing More Dollar Signs
 * 5 Machine Vision Leaders Keeping Their Focus on Cost, Capabilities
 * Machine Vision Advances Showcased at Automatica 2018

These robots of the first batch can operate in a temperature range of -20 to +50
degrees Celsius. With minor modifications a range of -40C to +60C is within
reach.

The focus in the area of functionality will shift towards more autonomy,
cloud-based storage systems, and the use of more and more image processing
coupled with artificial intelligence. The robots of the ExR series are therefore
more than just tools; they become independent helpers in the service of safety.


ABOUT EXROBOTICS:

ExRobotics B.V. is a leading international company specialized in robotic
solutions for potentially explosive facilities. It produces Ex-certified robots
(ATEX and IECEx Zone 1) that can remotely carry out otherwise potentially
hazardous safety checks at remote facilities.


ABOUT IDS:

IDS Inc. was founded in 2007 as a subsidiary of IDS Imaging Development Systems
GmbH. Industrial camera manufacturer IDS Imaging Development Systems develops
high-performance, easy-to-use USB, GigE and 3D cameras with a wide spectrum of
sensors and variants.

The almost unlimited range of applications covers multiple non-industrial and
industrial sectors in the field of equipment, plant and mechanical engineering.

In addition to the successful CMOS cameras, the company’s portfolio includes
vision app-based sensors and cameras. The novel image-processing platform IDS
NXT is freely programmable and extremely versatile.

Since its foundation in 1997 as a two-man company, IDS has developed into an
independent, ISO-certified family business with more than 250 employees. The
headquarters in Obersulm, Germany, is both a development and production site.
With branches in the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and U.K., as well as other
offices, IDS is represented internationally.



RELATED ARTICLES READ MORE >

GECKO ROBOTICS – START-UP PROFILE – IMPROVING INDUSTRIAL INSPECTION
EFFECTIVENESS AND SAFETY

MAB ROBOTICS – START-UP PROFILE – VALUE DRIVERS STRONG FOR TUNNEL INSPECTION
USING QUADRUPEDS

RBR50 SPOTLIGHT – QLAYERS’S ROBOTIC INDUSTRIAL PAINTING SOLUTION

RBR ESSENTIAL ROBOTICS ANNOUNCEMENTS – JANUARY 8 – 14, 2021



ROBOT REPORT PODCAST

August 19, 2022
Joe Speed update on Indy Autonomous Challenge; Skyline Robotics automates
skyscraper window cleaning
See More >


Connect with Robotics Business Review
Robotics Business Review
 * Advertising
 * Contact Us
 * Subscribe
 * Collaborative Robotics Trends
 * The Robot Report
 * Mobile Robot Guide
 * RoboBusiness Conference & Expo
 * Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
 * Robotics Summit Conference & Expo

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site
may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used,
except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us


SEARCH ROBOTICS BUSINESS REVIEW




 * Home
 * Analysis / Opinion
   * RBR Analysis
   * RBR Opinion
   * RBR Interviews
 * Business
   * Management
   * Workforce
   * Start-Ups
     * RBR Start-Up Profiles
     * RBR Start-Up Insights
   * Social Good
   * Investment
   * Transaction Database
 * Markets / Industries
   * Agriculture
   * Construction / Demolition
   * Consumer
   * Defense / Security
   * Energy / Mining
   * Health / Medical
   * Logistics / Supply Chain
   * Manufacturing
   * Public Safety
   * Retail
   * Robotics Development
   * Utilities
 * Resources
   * Websites
     * The Robot Report
     * Mobile Robot Guide
     * Collaborative Robotics Trends
   * Webinars / Digital Events
   * Case Studies
   * Company Directory
   * Podcasts
   * Research
 * Events
   * Robotics Summit
   * RoboBusiness
   * Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
   * Field Robotics Engineerng Forum
   * Robotics Weeks
   * R&D 100
 * RBR50
   * RBR50 2022
     * RBR50 2022 Honorees
   * RBR50 2021
     * RBR50 2021 Honorees
     * RBR50 2021 Digital Edition
   * RBR50 2020
     * RBR50 2020 Honorees
     * RBR50 2020 Digital Edition

✓
Thanks for sharing!
AddToAny
More…