White paper on robotics for resilient infrastructure
The environment that infrastructure robotics and automated systems (RAS) are required to operate presents many challenges. For example, robots in cities must cope with the risks created from the complex interaction between large numbers of people and vehicles. Robots in tunnels or mines must cope with rough terrain, narrow passageways, and degraded perception. Offshore and subsea infrastructure robots must withstand extreme cold and pressure operating at depth. Furthermore, robots undertaking nuclear decommissioning must withstand radiation and restricted access. In general, robots must be able to resist chemicals and materials used in the construction process as well as being resistant to dirt, dust and robust to large forces exerted. Common to all these environments, the robots need significant levels of autonomy with effective self-monitoring, self-reconfiguration and repair.
This whitepaper outlines the global trends in infrastructure robotics and presents our future vision towards ‘zero’ disruption to human activity and ‘zero’ environmental impact for infrastructure maintenance. It outlines the UK strategy and investment in this critical area and how to work together to boost our international competitiveness.
Robert Richardson, Raul Fuentes, Tim Chapman, Michael Cook, Jim Scanlan, Li Zhibin (2017). Robotic and Autonomous Systems for Resilient Infrastructure. UK-RAS White Paper, June 17. ISSN 2398-4422. Read publication.
