Robotic Inspection System Intended to Work in Extreme Environment

A serious challenge for designers of inspection robots is their adaptation to work in often difficult and extreme environments. This paper presents possible solutions for a mobile inspection robot intended for operation in an environment where locomotion is difficult because the tested object is relatively large and, moreover, in order to carry out diagnostic tests, it is required to move on vertical surfaces. Since the tested surfaces are ferromagnetic, the solution was to use magnetic wheels to ensure effective traction of the robot. In addition, thanks to the solutions used, the robot can be adapted and used to carry out inspections at high temperatures, in which people cannot stay and work. The inspection system can use both vision and ultrasonic measurements. The applied interface and the operator's panel provide the presentation and visualization of the results, including the prediction of detected damage.