Robot's Magnetic Design Attracts Industry
Researchers from the Robotics Systems Laboratory (LSRO) recently presented a novel miniature robot destined for the inner chambers of power generators. The patented design could save millions in repair costs and was awarded a prize in Japan.
Out of the 140 papers selected for this year’s Climbing and Walking Robots (CLAWAR) International Conference held this year at the Nagoya Institute of Technology in Japan, a simple but ingenious design—a robot called Cy-Mag 3D – took the Industrial Innovation Award on September 1st.
Designed at the Robotics Systems Laboratory at the EPFL by Frédéric Rochat, the miniature robot will be used to inspect power generators where—in order to avoid costly shut-downs that human inspection entails—it can work its way into the smallest corners. Its reduced size is the result of an innovative concept similar to the way a Segway keeps its balance, but instead of relying on an internal system the stabilizer is built right into the magnetic components.
So simple
“It is such a simple solution that it has been patented.” says Francesco Mondada head of the MOBOTS group, where the research was done.
Power generators are ferromagnetic environments made of metal tubing and shafts. And magnetically adhesive robots have been getting larger and more complicated to rise to more difficult challenges. But Rochat’s solution goes against this trend. Its novel magnetic arrangement in the wheel creates sufficient holding force to keep it attached to surfaces even while going around corners upside-down. At the same time, this magnetic force maintains system balance by keeping the motor in place. He thus radically reduced the robot to a match-book size while making it more agile at the same time.
Technology transfer to industry
“It is a design solution that did not seem possible,” explains Rochat, “but now future possibilities have opened up that could save millions in costly shut-downs.”
The novel design is already being augmented in the laboratory. Plans are being developed to create a robot that is water resistant, which would allow for inspections without purging the system of water. The robot’s design was partially financed by ALSTOM under the Swiss Innovation Promotion Agency (CTI) program.