Outokumpu optimizes health and safety monitoring with AI and robotics

Outokumpu is going to use robots from Swiss robotics company ANYbotics to perform safety-relevant inspections and further improve safety at its sites. The company recently started the test phase with the first “ANYmal” robot at its site in Krefeld, Germany.

Declared goal: Becoming No. 1 in work safety

Global stainless steel producer Outokumpu is supporting its safety strategy to become the industry’s best performer in terms of work safety by 2025 with the use of the four-legged robot ANYmal from ANYbotics.

“Use of AI and robotics for safety management is one of the cornerstones of our safety strategy. ANYbotics’ robotics technology will help us to increase safety by reducing employee exposure to hazardous substances and environments, optimize production through preventive maintenance, and decrease environmental impacts,“ says Thorsten Piniek, Vice President, Health & Safety at Outokumpu.

“Outokumpu is an excellent partner to pioneer the deployment of ANYmal in the metals sector. Outokumpu’s site in Krefeld poses particular challenges in dealing with its tough environmental conditions and hazardous substances where the robot can prove its industrial ruggedness, autonomy, and end-to-end integration", says Luca Niccolini, Lead Metals at ANYbotics.

Taking over safety management tasks

Both companies see the robots perform inspection tasks in acid areas and monitor motor and bearing temperatures to reduce the risk of accidents, dangerous malfunctions and fires due to overheating. Defective components will be identified through temperature and sound measurements to prevent the risk of hazardous situations.

ANYmal’s mobility is unparalleled: It can move in all directions, can descend and climb up to 30° slopes and up to 45° stairs with up to 25 cm high steps. It can move below items suspended at a minimum clearance of 60 cm and step over up to 30 cm wide gaps.

ANYbotics has been developing integrated robotic solutions for industrial use, e.g. to improve health and safety at work, since 2016.

Before the end of this year, Outokumpu will be deploying three other ANYmals at its locations in Finland and Sweden to achieve its goal to be the industry’s company with the lowest accident rate by 2025.

Photo Source: Outokumpu

Source: metec-tradefair