A low-cost robotic inspection platform for remote operation in aggressive environments
Lead Participant:
CADSCAN LIMITED
Abstract
Inspection in aggressive environments is time-consuming, dangerous and expensive. We will address this by
developing a low-cost, autonomous robot platform based on Cadscan’s novel, patent-pending 3D imaging
technology. This uses multi-illuminator phase-shifting to capture high resolution imagery inexpensively using
just an array of LEDs, a printed mask and a camera. The sensing system will help navigate the robot and to
construct a detailed survey of the environment. Making the platform low cost is an important enabler when
harsh environments limit operational lifetime. In the Fukushima reactor incident radiation caused the wiring on
all 5 clean-up robots to fail (dev cost $50m.) Lowering costs also means that multiple robots can be deployed
simultaneously, cooperating to survey the environment much faster than individual units. We will focus
primarily on ground-based platforms, although the sensor is suitable for drones too. We aim to change the
game and take inspection to the limit.
developing a low-cost, autonomous robot platform based on Cadscan’s novel, patent-pending 3D imaging
technology. This uses multi-illuminator phase-shifting to capture high resolution imagery inexpensively using
just an array of LEDs, a printed mask and a camera. The sensing system will help navigate the robot and to
construct a detailed survey of the environment. Making the platform low cost is an important enabler when
harsh environments limit operational lifetime. In the Fukushima reactor incident radiation caused the wiring on
all 5 clean-up robots to fail (dev cost $50m.) Lowering costs also means that multiple robots can be deployed
simultaneously, cooperating to survey the environment much faster than individual units. We will focus
primarily on ground-based platforms, although the sensor is suitable for drones too. We aim to change the
game and take inspection to the limit.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
---|---|---|
CADSCAN LIMITED | £94,726 | £ 66,308 |
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Participant |
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INNOVATE UK |
People |
ORCID iD |