AIR (Autonomous Insulation Robots)

Q-Bot has developed the first affordable and fully accredited (BBA Certificate Number 17/5440i1) solution for the retrofit of insulation to suspended timber floors. The solution works by using a robot that can access the void via a vent or hatch and insulate the underside of suspended timber floors with minimal disruption. Q-Bot has had a number of patents granted in the UK to protect the application and system. Each installation saves on average 2,600 kWh of heating energy, 600kg of CO2 emissions and £125 per dwelling, annually (as verified by the Energy Saving Trust) successfully dealing with one of the most challenging areas of CO2 reduction - the Built Environment. The company designs and builds the robots in-house with this novel service already accredited by the BBA and fully ECO compliant, and has insulated almost 1,000 homes so far. Q-Bot's goal is to make it easier for contractors to deliver quality retrofit projects by providing them with tools that identify the needs of each property, automate repetitive tasks and track the quality of the work done.

To deliver the low-disruption insulation of suspended timber floors Q-Bot has developed robots for accessing and spraying the insulation to the underside of a suspended floor. The robots are controlled using a game pad with the operator using the view from onboard cameras to guide the robot into place, select the most appropriate 'pattern' to apply insulation and adjust the pattern to the correct location on the underfloor surface. Each step of the process is fully recorded, capturing every button press and operator input combined with readings from sensors, a video from the cameras and 3D models built from the robot's LIDAR and depth cameras. This information has created a valuable database of performance data that can be analysed to identify areas that can be automated and build simulations to test improved control systems.

Q-Bot is rolling the service out in mainland Europe, with several pilot projects across dozens of properties completed in France and the Netherlands so far. To be fully cost competitive in these markets, Q-Bot needs to enable a single person team to complete the installation efficiently and safely. Reducing the level of attention that the robot demands of the operator by automating certain tasks is critical and will enable a single person to manage one or more robots as well as the auxiliary insulation equipment. This project will focus on developing automation of Q-Bot's robots to Level 3, Conditional Automation to reduce the attention required from operatives and to enable a single person to deliver the service. This will reduce costs, improve the productivity of each team and facilitate expansion into France and the Netherlands. The progress achieved with the help of his project will not only help Q-Bot to grow domestically but create significant export opportunities. It will also significantly increase Q-Bot's positive impact on environmental sustainability and mitigation of climate change, enabling the company to deliver energy and CO2 savings at much larger volume and lower cost.