InertBot - a collaborative robot safe for explosive environments

The energetic manufacturing and storage sectors face critical challenges due to outdated equipment and inefficiencies in meeting growing demands. Human dependence in current processes not only constrains productivity but also exposes workers to hazardous environments. With a heavy reliance on humans, the acyclical and fluctuating demand make it hard to scale up and down to meet the changing requirements and episodic wartime needs. Existing collaborative robots, or cobots, fall short of meeting the stringent electrical safety standards imperative for energetic settings as per Article 500 of the National Electric Code (NEC). Therefore, there is a need to adapt and certify cobots to adhere to the safety regulations for deployment within such high-risk environments. This approach necessitates a comprehensive evaluation of available cobot systems emphasizing 6-axis arm manipulators and self-driving mobile robots, culminating in the formulation of a certification roadmap through hardware enhancements in conjunction with the selection of a certifying authority. ICON, a pioneer in advanced construction technologies, has developed compact ground robots called Taskbot, which weigh less than 400 pounds. These robots navigate autonomously around freshly 3D-printed concrete structures, assisting in wetting concrete surfaces post-printing and facilitating the efficient transportation of small tools and equipment across construction sites. In the construction realm, the integration of these robots not only brings down additional labor costs but liberates workers to concentrate on supervisory roles over multiple operational 3D printers, enhancing overall productivity. Leveraging its expertise in collaborative robot technologies, ICON proposes the adaptation of its existing platform for hostile explosive environments, christened the "Inertbot." This transformation involves reconfiguring the site support robot and integrating specialized safety features and robust functionalities to meet the rigorous safety standards mandated for explosive settings. The Inertbot aims to revolutionize the operational landscape within energetic environments by ensuring enhanced operational efficiency, heightened safety standards, and optimized productivity through autonomous robotic interventions. ICON comprehensive phase 1 proposes an evaluation of current regulations in comparison with the current Taskbot platform and proposes a modification and testing plan to create a path to develop and certify the Inertbot platform.