Robotic Inspections: The Future of Safe and Efficient Industrial Asset Maintenance

Maintaining industrial infrastructure can be challenging and dangerous for human workers. A new wave of robotic solutions offers a more cost-effective and efficient approach to inspection and repair. Do you know? GlobalData forecasts that the robotics industry will reach a value of $586 billion by 2030, with industrial robots playing a major role in this growth. In 2020, industrial robot sales totaled $14.6 billion, and GlobalData projects the market to expand to $352 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38%.

Automation has long been used in heavy industry to enhance manufacturing efficiency and quality, but its future lies in improving productivity through new, innovative applications. Technological advancements are making robots lighter and more mobile, while the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing enables advanced data collection and analysis.

In the realm of industrial maintenance, robots will become vital for cleaning and repairing components like pipelines, tanks, process vessels, fired heaters, and furnaces—areas that are often difficult for humans to access or require extensive dismantling or replacement. The next generation of agile robots will efficiently handle these hazardous tasks, streamlining industrial operations and cutting costs. Robots to maintain inaccessible industrial content Under human supervision, maintenance robots can optimize operations in heavy industry by accessing areas that are difficult or hazardous for personnel. For instance, internal tank inspections are often labor-intensive and time-consuming when performed by staff. Another common challenge is maintaining storage and transportation facilities, which frequently suffer from internal corrosion but are risky for humans to inspect safely.

Robots can access remote infrastructure and automate inspection processes. Unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) are used for onshore and offshore pipeline inspections, while robots are already inspecting and maintaining wind turbine blades, eliminating the need for technicians to perform dangerous rope work. Heavy industry often involves hazardous chemicals, and the risk to employees increases significantly if equipment is not properly maintained—something robots can address more safely and efficiently.

Advanced capabilities of industrial robots Integrated with AI and the Internet of Things (IoT), the next generation of industrial robots features advanced sensors and video recording software, enabling maintenance teams to make faster, more informed decisions. Innovations in light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology, along with beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) capabilities, will further enhance robots' ability to detect and address maintenance issues.

With their projected market value in the hundreds of billions, industrial robots represent the future of maintenance, offering high-quality solutions at a lower cost.