Innovative Ship Inspection Robot Receives ClassNK Endorsement

An innovative ‘wall climbing robot’ that has been designed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Sumitomo Heavy Industries (SHI), and MOL to provide efficient and safe ship maintenance, has earned the Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) Innovation Endorsement.

The Innovation Endorsement is ClassNK’s third-party certification programme that provides a framework for the assessment of initiatives that are designed to support companies ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) goals. 

The wall climbing robot has been designed with a high degree of traversability to access areas that are hard to reach for humans. Among its capabilities, the wall climbing robot is able to take photographs in order to facilitate inspection. The robot is also able to measure the thickness of steel plates.

ClassNK has verified the functions and abilities of the robot as follows: 

• Remote inspection in high places and various other locations such as hull planning, ballast tank, and boiler. 
• Acquisition of data necessary for periodic maintenance by equipping measurement tools such as thickness gauges and cameras. 
• Reduction of hazardous tasks for workers by remote operation.
• Reduction of ancillary tasks such as scaffolding construction work.

According to a statement released by the consortium of companies, their aim is to ‘further develop their ship operation and management technology, as well as SHI’s robot development and manufacturing technology’. The companies are also aiming to enhance the performance and functionality of the robot using real-time operational data.

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