Robotics
robotics@hydro - Innovative pilot project develops promising services
As part of the Hydro 4.0, the promising pilot project robotics@hydro has been launched to develop innovative tools for power plant operations in the so-called field of "Robotics". After intensive testing and proof of concepts (PoCs) in the areas of air, water, earth, structures and 3D buildings, the project team is proud to present several promising services.
The successfully implemented Use Case span various domains and will significantly improve the efficiency and safety of hydroelectric power plants. Some of the services already launched or planned for the coming months from the robotics@hydro pilot project are:
1. Expansion of inspections with drones (Hydrone): Enhanced service available Q1 2024
2. UW inspection with underwater robot BlueRov2: Service available Q2 2024
3. Rock/slope instability assessment: Service available Q1 2024
4. Structural health monitoring (outdoor): Full service available mid-2025
5. Digital asset documentation: Service available Q2 2024
The successful development of these services is due not only to the visionary work of the project team, but also to the close collaboration with users in hydro plants and the support of the project chair and sounding board. The valuable support and good cooperation have helped to achieve the goals set.
Despite these successes, further measures are necessary to implement the use cases as planned and to offer the corresponding services to hydro plants. This includes the implementation and commissioning of a platform for outdoor structural condition monitoring and the procurement of a commercial server solution for data storage, analysis and visualisation in connection with digital plant documentation.
The robotics@hydro pilot project will continue its work and conduct additional proof-of-concepts for selected use cases, including real-time monitoring of the operational area with cameras and autonomous drones (drones out of the box), the use of underwater robots from Tethys Robotics, and indoor structural condition monitoring.
We would like to thank the dedicated project team, the users in the hydro plants, as well as the Project Chair and the Sounding Board for their excellent cooperation and valuable support in the robotics@hydro project. For questions and further information about the results of the pilot project and the resulting services, please contact Ephraim Friedli (ephraim.friedli@axpo.com).