Benefits of Integrating Robots and Drones in Industrial and Energy Applications

From Dronelife

Drones and robots have become essential tools in modern industrial and energy asset management. The use of robotic technology improves asset management through both cost effectiveness and improved processes.

Here are just some of the realized benefits of industrial robot integration. 

1. Improved Process Efficiency

By using robots to automate labor-intensive and even dangerous tasks, operators are able to spend their time on more complex tasks that can’t be automated. 

2. Increased Cost Savings

The integration of robotics into industrial and energy asset management systems can improve ongoing operational costs, especially on data-heavy sensing and inspection activities.

3. Enhanced Safety Standards

Unlike humans, robots have the ability to operate without fatigue or strict limits on outside threats such as toxic substances, extreme temperatures, or radiation present fewer risks during operation. Deploying robots creates a safer workplace environment for employees. For example, in utility work, there are many on-the-job dangers and drones can be deployed to take on the most hazardous tasks. 

4. Reduced Maintenance Costs

Thanks to advances in robotic technology, assets can be continually monitored for predictive maintenance needs. Newer robots and drones can even go beyond identifying maintenance needs and can perform some basic repairs.

5. Improved Quality Control

Drones and robotics allow industrial organizations to maintain high levels of quality control. Autonomous robots and drones are programmed to specific needs of an application, reducing potential for human error. 

The benefits of robotics are clear, and new applications are being deployed in industrial and energy assets consistently. But many energy companies don’t have robust robotic expertise internally, nor do they need as many resources to maintain the systems as to set them up. That’s why there’s a burgeoning industry of service providers to help with robotic system setup and integration. These providers can help select hardware, software, programming, system integration, reporting dashboards, and more to get applications up and running. 

Shell, which works with many outside service providers, is using robotic systems throughout its businesses—on land, in the air, and offshore—for a wide range of operations and maintenance tasks. It has robots and drones monitoring emissions, conducting subsea maintenance, inspecting large assets, and more. 

While we’re still in the early stages of industrial robotics, the industry is booming as technology advances and as early-adopters find ROI in their integration implementation. 

This calls for a celebration.