Severstal is testing the capabilities of robot workers in production

2024: Robot Dog Trials

Severstal tested the Deep Robotics robot dog at Severstal-Metiza and Cherepovets Steel Mill. Severstal announced this on July 19, 2024. For several days, the robot trained to navigate the area, carry loads using a manipulator hand and monitor compliance with safety rules. In the coke industry of Cherepovets Steel Mill, the possibility of using a dog robot for sample delivery and environmental monitoring was being worked out. For example, as an experiment in the foundry of blast furnace No. 3, he delivered briquettes of refractory mass directly to the place of use. Testing was carried out by specialists from Severstal-Infokom and New Products Laboratory.

source = Severstal

Thanks to algorithmcomputer vision and 3D profiling, as well as LiDAR technology, the robot dog can perform the tasks of measuring objects, transporting objects weighing up to 40 kg, various types of inspection and preventive diagnostics of equipment. For example, it can conduct sound diagnostics, thermal imaging and gas analysis studies, as well as build maps for the development of digital counterparts of enterprises. It is important that the robot is able to perform operations continuously and in difficult conditions for humans.

Tests at Severstal showed the possibilities and limitations of using such robots in the real production conditions of the metallurgical plant, and also contributed to the development of new hypotheses for the use and development of tested technologies.

Robots are ready to perform continuous routine tasks for quite a long time, excluding the human factor, which can affect the correctness of measurements. This will allow, for example, better and faster diagnostics of gas leaks. In addition, we strive to reduce the presence of a person in high-risk areas, and robots in the future will be able, if not completely replaced, then significantly facilitate his work in mines, hot shops and other sites. We will continue testing robot houses at other Severstal sites, - commented Denis Kolupaev, Head of R&D at Severstal-Infocom.