Week 2: Case Study Group: FEP-KLTSA Business Challenge

Week 2

The Need for Autonomous Legged Robots in Hazardous Environments

(Incredible Four Legged Robots Spotmini Laikago ANYmal and Aliengo ..., n.d.)

Introduction

         We are keen to highlight the necessity of autonomous-legged robots in dangerous areas as innovators dedicated to using technology for practical solutions. 

       Legged robots, to put it simply, are robots that move around on their legs. The world is changing so quickly, and technology is advancing so quickly that we are becoming more and more dependent on autonomous legged robots to help us navigate complex terrain, stay safe in dangerous situations, and complete important tasks that are either too difficult or impossible for humans to complete. 

        Model-based control and learning-based control are the two main control strategies used for the control of leg robots. Through the use of these advanced techniques, the robots are able to acquire new motor abilities that improve their capacity to interact with their environment. Through constant improvement of these motor skills, legged robots may adjust to a variety of settings. Furthermore, when it comes to maneuvering over uneven and chaotic landscapes, legged robots are noticeably more flexible and adaptive than tracked vehicles. They are especially well-suited for difficult environments where conventional tracked vehicles could find it difficult to operate due to their enhanced mobility. Because of this, legged robots are becoming more and more useful in a variety of applications that need reliable and adaptable mobility solutions. 

         This article will give you a clear view of the advantages and disadvantages of legged robots and walk you over its applications.

Importance of Hazardous Environment Interventions

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is important for enabling autonomous legged robots to operate effectively in hazardous environments. This is because with AI, it can adapt and perform an effective course of actions, enhance the perception, decision making and many more. First and foremost, it is robust in navigation and operations. It enables the legged robots to plan paths and avoid obstacles in complex surroundings by having a powered navigation system. The toughness of the robots and implementation of AI allows the robots to safely traverse hazardous areas. By improving the accuracy of their FEA-aided design process, ANYbotics was able to reduce the many expensive prototype iterations required to ensure a robust product, down to only a few prototyped designs. Most of which are aimed at optimizing weight to strength ratio of structural components, as well as minimizing their manufacturing costs. (SIMSCALE, 2024)

Next, Human-Robot interaction is one of the important interventions of AI. AI enables more intuitive and effective communication between robots and human operators with the natural language processing and machine learning algorithms allowing robots to understand and respond to human commands. For example, in a scene of a firefighter, the robot's scalability enables it to carry various payloads and understand human language when receiving a command by giving them the tools that firefighters need.

Last but not least, AI interventions enabled the autonomy and adaptive locomotion of  robots. AI can help the robots to overcome limitations in their perception, such as narrow field of view, to better understand hazardous environments and develop versatile locomotion controllers that can navigate varied terrains efficiently. For example, a robotic arm can be equipped to perform remote tasks such as defusing bombs or opening doors, thereby reducing the need for human presence in dangerous areas. Other than that, this capability is vital because the robots can avoid dangerous areas and find the best possible routes to their destinations.

Why Autonomous Legged Robots?

The legged-robots are invented to imitate legged-mammals for flexibility, stable locomotion  to overcome diverse environment to provide better adaptability to the rough, unstructured terrain (Zhu et al., 2022). They can revolutionize various industries, particularly in terms of health, safety, and environmental impact by reducing risk on potential fatalities or loss of life as well as operation for efficiency increment and cost reduction (Bellicoso et al., 2018). To achieve these, the legged robots require superior computing performance to allow the implementation of complex control system in real time. Hence, Artificial intelligence, particularly Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL), can enhance their adaptability to terrains by enabling efficient learning of various gaits (Zhu et al., 2022b). The neural network can help improve the dynamic performance of non‐linear actuators (Zhu et al., 2022b).

Applications of Autonomous Legged Robots

There are various industrial applications for autonomous legged-robots. For instance, they excel in autonomously inspecting and monitoring offshore assets in the oil and gas sector. By leveraging 3D mapping technology, these robots navigate through facilities, monitoring for thermal anomalies, pipeline damage, and leaks using an array of sensors and visual inspection methods (Ramezani et al., 2020). Besides that, robot-based systems able to perform remote tasks for humanitarian demining missions (De Santos et al., 2007) and autonomous inspection of concrete deterioration in sewers, etc.

Advantages Over Traditional Methods

     Autonomous legged robots that can move independently are a revolutionary development in robotics technology, and they have several advantages over traditional methods of locomotion. Numerous sectors and applications are being revolutionized by these robots.

     Firstly, they have distinct benefits over wheeled and tracked systems when it comes to navigating quickly through crowded areas and navigating rough and unstable terrain. Since they deform the terrain less than wheeled or tracked vehicles and the energy needed to get out of the depressions is lower (Silva & Machado, 2006). These robots decrease energy consumption while preserving stability and mobility by dynamically modifying their gait and dispersing forces efficiently. With their lower environmental impact and increased operational range due to their energy economy, legged robots are now more environmentally friendly options for a wide range of applications. 

Legged robots also differ from traditional methods of transport by their mobility and maneuverability. They are able to move around challenging barriers, climb stairs, and work in cramped areas because they are outfitted with advanced locomotion systems like articulated legs or multi-joint limbs. Furthermore, legged robots can carry out work in environments that are considered too unsafe for human interaction because they are outfitted with sensors that can identify threats like toxins, radiation, or unstable structures. They improve safety by reducing risks and offering useful information for risk assessment, whether they are investigating accident scenes or examining industrial facilities.

Autonomous legged robots provide many benefits compared to traditional methods of mobility. They have innovative potential that will only increase with the advancement of technology, creating opportunities for robotics advancement and creativity.

Challenges and Future Directions

Autonomous legged robots have demonstrated significant promise for operations in hazardous environments such as disaster zones, industrial sites, and extraterrestrial landscapes. While their potential is immense, several challenges need to be addressed to enhance their capabilities and reliability.

Hazardous environments often feature uneven, slippery, and unstable surfaces, posing significant challenges for current legged robots. These robots struggle with the dynamic adjustments required to navigate such terrains reliably. Furthermore, climbing over large obstacles, navigating through tight spaces, and avoiding debris without losing stability remains a significant challenge. Improving the terrain adaptability of legged robots is crucial for their effective deployment in hazardous environments. Autonomous navigation requires real-time data processing to accurately perceive the environment and make decisions. The high computational demands can lead to latency issues, hampering the robot’s ability to respond promptly to environmental changes. Moreover, robots need to adapt to unforeseen circumstances without human intervention. This requires advanced AI capable of learning and decision-making on the fly, enabling robots to operate autonomously in unknown environments. In scenarios where human oversight is necessary, developing intuitive and reliable interfaces for remote control and supervision is challenging. Ensuring that human operators can trust the robot’s autonomy and decision-making processes is crucial for effective deployment. Enhancing human-robot interaction will facilitate better control and coordination, especially in complex environments (Wong et al., 2018).

Even though autonomous legged robots face a lot of challenges, there are a lot of techniques that can solve these challenges. Implementing advanced reinforcement learning algorithms can improve the robot’s ability to adapt to new environments and tasks. Enhancing sensory integration from visual, auditory, and tactile sensors will enable more comprehensive environmental understanding and decision-making. These advancements in AI and machine learning are essential for developing truly autonomous robots capable of operating in hazardous environments. Drawing inspiration from nature to develop more efficient and versatile locomotion strategies can significantly enhance the mobility of legged robots. Bio-inspired designs, such as those seen in insects or mammals, offer promising solutions. Additionally, developing robots with adjustable limb configurations and stiffness will allow better adaptation to varying terrains and tasks, enhancing their dexterity and operational effectiveness. Implementing swarm robotics techniques, where multiple robots can work together, share information, and complete complex tasks more efficiently, is a promising future direction. Developing robust communication systems that can function reliably in environments with limited connectivity is also essential. Enhanced communication and coordination will facilitate more effective and collaborative operations in hazardous environments. Establishing safety standards and protocols to ensure the safe deployment of legged robots in hazardous environments is crucial. Formulating ethical guidelines for the use of autonomous robots, particularly in scenarios involving human safety, will ensure responsible and ethical deployment. Regulation and standardization are key to fostering trust and acceptance of autonomous robots in various applications (Wong et al., 2018).

Conclusion

        Autonomous legged robots represent a significant technological advancement with the potential to transform how we approach hazardous environments. Their mobility, versatility, and autonomy make them ideal for a wide range of applications, from disaster response to space exploration. These robots can navigate uneven terrains, access confined spaces, and operate in extreme conditions where wheeled or tracked robots might fail. By minimizing human risk and enhancing operational efficiency, these robots can provide safer and more effective solutions in some of the most dangerous and complex settings. For instance, in disaster response, they can perform search and rescue operations, assess structural damage, and deliver supplies, all while keeping human responders out of harm's way. In space exploration, their ability to traverse rocky and unpredictable surfaces can open new frontiers for scientific discovery. As technology continues to evolve, the deployment of autonomous legged robots will become increasingly critical in addressing the challenges of hazardous environments, paving the way for safer, more efficient, and innovative solutions.

Yours sincerely,

Brendan, Chin Ren, Wei Lun, Ridwan, Abdulrahman, XinKher

The Need for Autonomous Legged Robots in Hazardous Environments

FlarePact

References:

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