Climbing robot could put end to workplace falls
City-made system used to clean Spaghetti Junction
AUNIQUE, Birminghammade robot that can climb walls and replace the need for working at height has been launched.
The HB1 has been designed and created by HausBots, and aims to reduce the number of people killed or injured from workplace falls.
The robot can climb vertical surfaces and be used for inspection and maintenance tasks, such as building and infrastructure inspection, surveying or even painting.
The HB1 uses a unique suction system to create 42kg of force onto a surface, allowing it to climb rough surfaces and overcome obstacles such as wires and surface bolts.
Remote controlled from groundlevel, its payload of 6kg can accommodate attachments required for tasks.
A company spokesman said: “One the key uses of the HausBots is to help reduce the number of workplace accidents.
“In the US 85,000 workers fall from height every year, of which 700 will be killed.
“The accidents also cost insurance companies over a billion dollars
in claims every year. Therefore not only does reducing the amount of accidents mean less injuries and trauma, but it also means there’s a huge economic saving.”
The firm worked with University of Warwick’s WMG department to create the product
The HB1 has a 30m range from the ground, but potentially unlimited if the tether can be supplied from the roof.
Jack Corne, co-founder of HausBots, said: “WMG helped us build the prototype all the way to making sure the robot safely sticks to the wall and carries out its job efficiently.
“We have worked tirelessly over the last three years to make HausBot, and we are incredibly excited to have sold our first one to a company in Singapore. We hope this is the first of many that will also help reduce numbers of workplace accidents. Going forward we hope to continue our work with WMG at the University of Warwick to make more robots for other uses that can reduce harm to humans.”
Dr David Norman, from the WMG SME group at the University of Warwick said: “The concept of the robot is incredible, and could save lives and reduce the number of workplace accidents.
“Our facilities and expertise have helped HausBots develop a product, which is now on the market and has carried out many jobs from painting to cleaning the graffiti off Spaghetti Junction in Birmingham.
“We hope to continue working with them in the future and can’t wait to see where they are this time next year.”