ANYbotics Enhances ANYmal Robots with Automated Door Access

ANYbotics has taken a significant leap forward in robotic inspection capabilities by integrating automated door-access technology into its ANYmal robot fleet. This collaboration with dormakaba and LEGIC Identsystems AG enables the robots to navigate through both unlocked and locked doors in complex environments without structural changes. This development is crucial for industries like energy, metals, mining, and chemicals, where closed doors have traditionally hindered comprehensive inspections.

What Happened
ANYbotics, a company spun out of ETH Zurich in 2016, announced a partnership with dormakaba and LEGIC Identsystems AG to enhance its ANYmal robots with the ability to access closed doors. This advancement allows the robots to perform inspections and maintenance in previously inaccessible areas, thereby increasing plant uptime and reducing human exposure to hazardous environments. The integration involves radar sensors and retrofitted dormakaba door operators, such as the ED 100 and ED 250, which automate swing doors without the need for specific brands or new installations. For secure or restricted areas, LEGIC Identsystems' digital credential technology ensures that access is controlled and monitored, aligning with existing security protocols.

What This Means for Your Business
For AECM professionals and government contractors, this development offers a competitive edge in maintaining and inspecting critical infrastructure. The ability of ANYmal robots to autonomously navigate complex facilities can lead to significant cost savings by minimizing unplanned downtime and reducing labor shortages. Moreover, the integration of automated door access streamlines operations by eliminating the need for structural modifications, thus lowering installation and maintenance costs. The enhanced capabilities of ANYmal robots also align with compliance requirements, such as those outlined by NIST and Zero Trust frameworks, by ensuring secure access control and audit trails.

What US Operators Should Watch
As ANYbotics rolls out this new functionality across its entire fleet, US operators should monitor the implementation timelines to capitalize on early adoption benefits. Additionally, staying informed about potential updates to compliance standards or security protocols related to automated inspections will be crucial. Operators should also consider the implications of integrating this technology with existing infrastructure and security systems to maximize the return on investment.

Source: https://www.therobotreport.com/anybotics-opens-the-door-for-inspections-with-anymal-robots/. Read the original story ->