36 Dossier | Keybotic Keyper necessary computing power is also packaged inside.” To that end, an Nvidia Orin Jetson is installed in the inspection head, it being necessary for processing power to read and understand gauges. Overall, the head weighs 4 kg. “And in terms of training the robot to walk correctly, our current control algorithms were developed entirely through model predictive control [MPC],” Tome explains. “This was the state of the art until maybe 2 years ago, but since then ETH Zurich, Oregon State University and the University of British Columbia have all demonstrated some game-changing stuff with reinforcement learning [RL] in legged robots. “We’re now running RL algorithms on the Keyper and carrying out experiments with that, but what we’re using in customer facilities is the MPC, and in the end we expect some hybrid algorithm using both will win out. The performance of the walking gait of the robot using a learned algorithm is proportional to the hours spent training it, not those coding it, so there are benefits to be drawn from the work we’ve done with both.” Future plans The Keyper is now available for industrial use. Its first publicly named customer is Carburos Metalicos, which supplies industrial and medical gases to the Air Products Group. Since the start of June 2023, Keyper has been inspecting the infrastructure of Carburos Metalicos’ 12,000 m2 plant in El Morell, Spain. Its sensors provide close analyses of the various gauges and other key equipment, and its locomotion and balance have been crucial to handling the many stairs and uneven terrains of the facility. Aside from a few small modifications and optimisations depending on how technology evolves, the Keyper is a largely mature and complete solution, although Keybotic is tempted to produce an ATEX-certified version – one approved for work in areas with explosive hazards – given the industrial customers it targets. “The problem with ATEX certification is you have to be absolutely certain you’re happy with the design once it’s certified, because you’re not allowed to change a single screw after that,” Tome says. “Once we’re satisfied with that we’ll embark on an ATEX project.” Keybotic already has a sensor for measuring the explosivity of an environment, and is therefore prepared to work close to ATEX zones. But while ATEX operations are a valuable niche market, and clearly within the company’s capabilities, being asked not to evolve a design permitted to enter such zones is anathema to the very spirit of innovation that drives the world of uncrewed systems. October/November 2023 | Uncrewed Systems Technology Keyper Quadrupedal UGV All-electric Full weight: 43 kg Maximum endurance: 90 minutes Charging duration: 40 minutes Maximum speed: 2 m/s Operating speed: 1 m/s Some key suppliers AHRS: Advanced Navigation Lidar: Ouster CPUs: Intel GPUs: Nvidia Stereo cameras: Intel Encoders: RLS CAD/FEA: SolidWorks Specifications The Keyper’s launch customer is Carburos Metalicos, an industrial and medical gas supplier in El Morell, Spain
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