Inflatable robotics for long-range inspection

Since 2018, Warein, through now what is AirCube, has been offering a new type of inflatable arms that are powerful and robust. Originally intended for the inspection of congested environments, this concept can be declined for inspection or intervention in any type of large-scale or hard-to-reach structure. This arm has many advantages over conventional robotic structures: it is lighter, easy to store once deflated, shock-resistant and safe for users.

At inTechBrew, we think that this technology is nothing short of revolutionary. This inspection robot is so light that it can be transported in a backpack. With long reach, surprisingly good payload and intuitive controls, AirCube provides a fantastic solution for monitoring the most complex of environment. 

• Other COTS camera systems can be deployed but have limited reach in this type of environment.
• The inflatable arm has been deployed deflated through a small hole.
• Once inflated, it completed a survey taking pictures, videos and 3D scan.
• The length of the arm was 5 meters, with a diameter of 9cm and a maximum payload of 500g.
• The arm alone was weighing 1.2 Kg

There are plenty of robotic arms but only a handful of inflatables and only one with the AirCube capabilities.

For other snake-like arm or other articulated solutions, it is obvious that weight is a major problem in the design of this type of robot. It will limit the maximum length as well as the amplitudes and speeds of movement. 

Currently, the nuclear industry uses carbon fibre or titanium robots, which are expensive and complicated to use and manufacture. Whereas it is very difficult to move a 25-metre-long robotic arm made of traditional solid materials, the AirCube inspection robot is light and, no matter how long, can be easily setup.

Based on a textile (a very thin composite composed of high strength fibres and a waterproof coating), this inflatable robotic arm is articulated, resistant, lightweight and easily transportable (once deflated, it folds like a sheet). 

The patented textile actuators (pneumatic traction cylinders) are some of the lightest and strongest in the world (a 40-gram actuator can lift 40 kg).

Once deployed, it is an inflatable articulated arm, which stretches from a few meters to more than 30 meters.

Very sturdy, it carries its own weight and is not limited in size. An arm can be 25 meters long with a weight of 20 kg and can carry at least 10 kg of payload at its tip (see table).Composed of only fabric and air, the robotic arm is able to perform inspections in very tight environments without risking damage to walls or furniture. 

It should be noted that the arm can be inflated and operated by air but also by other fluids, it is possible to imagine underwater uses in which the arm would be immersed and filled with water. 

The advantages of such a robot:

• Ideal for hard-to-reach, and hostile environments, 
• Lightness, ease of transport and storage,
• Impact resistant,
• Silent operation,
• Absence of risk to users (lightweight and made from innovative textile, the risks associated with contact are thus limited),
• Can be setup with protective cover to meet the most restrictive environments.