ANYbotics Delivers Explosion-Protected Inspection Robots for Offshore Energy

Swiss robotics company ANYbotics has begun customer deliveries of ANYmal X, a four-legged autonomous inspection robot designed to operate in potentially explosive environments, opening new opportunities for robotic inspection across offshore oil and gas installations and industrial processing facilities.

Initial customers include Equinor and DSM-Firmenich, following an extensive testing program involving BP, Shell, PETRONAS, Petrobras, BASF and SLB. Since 2023, participating companies have evaluated the technology across hundreds of onshore and offshore inspection missions. ANYmal X is engineered to meet ATEX and IECEx explosion-protection standards, addressing a major obstacle to deploying autonomous mobile robots in hazardous areas containing flammable gases or vapors.

The robot navigates stairs, narrow walkways and complex industrial infrastructure without requiring facility modifications. Integrated thermal, visual, acoustic and gas sensors monitor pumps, compressors, valves and piping for overheating, leaks, abnormal noise and equipment deterioration. "Many experts thought a legged robot could never be made safe for explosive atmospheres," said Péter Fankhauser, Co-Founder and CEO of ANYbotics. "That changes today."

Developing the system required four years of engineering and resulted in more than 10 patents, according to the company.

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