ExRobotics launches UL-certified inspection robot for hazardous environments

The ExR-2.5 robots is now available in North America. Source: ExRobotics

Oil and gas operators face mounting pressure from aging infrastructure, acute workforce shortages, and the escalating cost of unplanned downtime, noted ExRobotics B.V. The company today made the North American launch of its UL -certified ExR-2.5 autonomous inspection robot at the Energy Drone & Robotics Summit in Houston.

“The inspection challenges facing oil and gas operators are intensifying — skilled labor is harder to find, assets are aging, and the cost of failure is rising fast,” stated Mark Mildon, CEO of ExRobotics. “We build rugged, reliable Ex-certified inspection robots because this is not a side capability for us; it’s our sole focus.

“With thousands of robotic missions completed for operators like Shell, Repsol, and BP, the ExR-2.5 delivers smart robotic missions that deliver better data, boost productivity, and keep operations on track – helping reduce personnel exposure to hazardous environments,” he added. “Launching the UL Certified ExR-2.5 at EDRC [Energy Drone & Robotics Coalition’s event] shows that autonomous inspection has moved beyond pilot projects and into real industrial operations.”

Analysts have predicted that the energy industry will be short by up to 40,000 skilled workers globally this year, while 62% of Gen Z and Millennials reportedly view oil and gas careers as unappealing. This makes the replacement of retiring engineers an active operational risk, said ExRobotics.

At the same time, unplanned downtime now costs the world’s largest industrial companies an estimated 11% of total revenue, according to Siemens. Just 3.5 days of downtime can generate more than $5 million in losses for a midsize oil and gas facility.

Inspection remains fundamental to maintaining a facility’s license to operate, yet traditional inspection regimes increasingly expose people to risk while struggling to keep pace with complex and aging assets, asserted ExRobotics. Founded in 2017, the company said it focuses exclusively on building rugged, reliable inspection robots for hazardous locations with potentially explosive atmospheres.

By automating hazardous inspection rounds, robotic missions allow operators to maintain inspection frequency and consistency, while reducing reliance on hard-to-source specialist labor, ExRobotics said.

The ExR-2.5 robots can perform safety inspections and collect real-time data across upstream and downstream operations, onshore and offshore, as well as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and chemical facilities worldwide, said ExRobotics.