Rockwell Automation, the world’s largest company focused on industrial automation, has announced a strategic partnership with Taurob, a leader in ground robotics, to develop robotic solutions aimed at driving industrial facilities towards fully autonomous operations. This collaboration is expected to accelerate the adoption of advanced robotic inspection and maintenance technologies across multiple industrial sectors, including oil and gas, chemicals, and mining.
Taurob, part of the Dietsmann Group, specialises in designing ground robots that perform critical inspection and maintenance tasks in hazardous environments. The partnership will see Rockwell’s digital services division, Kalypso, work alongside Taurob to create a comprehensive, end-to-end solution that leverages advanced robotics, digital twin technologies, and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).
The focus of the collaboration will be on helping industrial organisations move away from manual inspections towards automated robotic systems. The goal is to enhance efficiency, increase safety, and reduce operational costs by automating inspection processes. According to Matt Graves, Kalypso’s digital principal for process industries, “Many industrial companies are already investing in facility design, connectivity, and AI, but manual inspection remains a widespread practice. The next step is automating fleets of inspection robots, using digital twin and IIoT technologies to achieve this.”
Taurob’s ground robots are designed to perform a wide range of tasks in extreme conditions. Equipped with sensors, cameras, and audio capabilities, these robots can inspect facilities, detect gas leaks, and manipulate equipment such as valves, all while adhering to stringent industry safety standards. The robots are particularly suited to the oil and gas sector, where their ATEX certification—a crucial industry standard—allows them to operate safely in explosive environments. Taurob’s robots can function in high-temperature settings and can operate for up to four hours on a single mission, offering significant advantages in industries where human inspection is risky or impractical.
The robots will also support companies’ sustainability efforts by helping to meet net-zero carbon emissions targets. By reducing the need for human personnel in hazardous areas, the robots will contribute to enhanced safety and operational efficiency while cutting down on emissions from site inspections.
The partnership between Rockwell and Taurob will deliver a holistic solution that covers everything from the physical robots to data analysis software powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning. Kalypso will provide the digital backbone, enabling integration and supervision of the robots as they carry out their tasks. This approach is designed to increase production throughput while minimising downtime and reducing operational expenditure.
Taurob’s co-founder and managing director, Matthias Biegl, highlighted the significance of the collaboration: “Our partnership with Rockwell will be a game-changer, enabling us to scale our ATEX-certified robots globally. Together, we can offer an integrated solution that streamlines operations and enhances efficiency for clients across various industrial sites.”
This new partnership marks a significant advancement in the industrial automation landscape, where the goal of fully autonomous operations is becoming increasingly realistic. By combining their respective expertise, Rockwell and Taurob aim to transform the way industrial facilities manage inspection and maintenance, moving towards a future of safer, more efficient, and autonomous operations. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com and www.taurob.com.
