Remote, unstaffed assets
Many substations and pump stations are unstaffed, so a routine visual check can mean hours of driving.
Robotic inspection for energy and utilities
Robotx supplies and deploys legged inspection robots for substations and utility sites across Australia and New Zealand. They walk inspection rounds, so operators can see into remote or hazardous areas.
The pressures we hear about
Routine rounds compete with real work
Skilled technicians spend time writing down gauge readings that could be captured automatically.
Exposure in hazardous areas
Energised yards and confined plant rooms carry risk, so every avoidable entry is a WHS gain.
Inconsistent inspection records
Manual rounds vary between people and shifts, so trends are hard to spot.
Where robotics fits
Scheduled substation rounds
A legged robot walks the switchyard on a programmed route, capturing images and readings for operators.
Inspection & PatrolThermal and acoustic anomaly checks
Where supported, thermal cameras and microphones flag hot connections or unusual equipment noise for a qualified person.
Inspection & PatrolAnalogue gauge and indicator reading
Cameras capture analogue gauges, oil levels and valve positions, turning a clipboard round into a digital record.
Inspection & PatrolFirst look after an alarm or event
After an alarm or fault, a robot gives operators a view before people enter, within your emergency procedures.
Inspection & PatrolTurbine hall and workshop floor care
Autonomous scrubbers clear oil and water residue from turbine hall and workshop floors, cutting slip hazards.
Autonomous CleaningPlatforms at work
More detailHow we scope a deployment in energy & utilitiesOperations, lifts and access, what we assess on site, and further reading
What an inspection robot actually does on a round
A legged inspection robot follows a mapped route, stops at defined checkpoints and records what it finds. At a zone substation that might mean images of transformer oil level gauges, thermal images of bushings and connections, a look at the control building, and a walk along the fence line. In a water treatment plant it might be pump bearings, valve positions and a check of chemical dosing areas.
Most of the benefit is consistency. Because the robot stands in the same place, points the camera the same way and records at the same interval, this week’s reading can be compared with last month’s. Where the site has network coverage, operators can review results from the control room. On sites without it, data is collected and uploaded when the robot returns to its dock.
Utility sites are rarely flat, which is why legged platforms are used. Stairs, grating, cable trench covers and gravel stop most wheeled robots.
Who stays in control of the site
An inspection robot observes and reports, and people make the decisions. It does not operate switchgear, open valves or carry out isolations. It works inside your existing safety framework, under the exclusion zones, approach distances, permit-to-work system and emergency procedures that already apply to your staff.
Robotx supplies, configures and supports the equipment and trains your operators and maintainers. Your organisation operates the robot and remains responsible for the site. During scoping we work with your electrical safety, operations and IT teams so everyone knows where their responsibilities sit before anything is deployed.
How a utility deployment is scoped
Every engagement starts with a consultation and a site assessment. We walk the intended routes in normal conditions, review terrain, weather exposure and network coverage, and agree the checkpoints that matter most to your maintenance team. The written proposal that follows sets out the platform, payloads and checkpoints. Deployment covers mapping, checkpoint set-up, integration where agreed, and operator training. After handover, Robotx supports the equipment with servicing, parts and warranty administration.
Robotics in energy & utilities: common questions
Have a question about your site? Talk to a specialist.
Can a robot replace operator inspection rounds at a substation?
It can take over the repetitive part of a round, while the judgement stays with people. A legged robot can walk the same route on schedule, capture images, thermal data and gauge readings, and flag anything outside expected values. Qualified people still review the results, decide what to do and attend when work is needed. Many operators use robots to inspect more often and cut low-value site visits.
Can legged robots handle outdoor switchyards and stairs?
Legged robots are designed for uneven ground, grating, kerbs and stairs, which is why they suit switchyards and multi-level plant better than wheeled robots. Limits still apply: steep or slippery surfaces, heavy rain, extreme heat and loose ground all need assessing. We walk the proposed route during the site assessment and confirm what the platform can manage before we recommend it.
Who is responsible for safety when an inspection robot is on site?
The asset owner or operator remains responsible for site safety, permits and operations. The robot works within your existing procedures, including exclusion zones, approach distances, isolations and emergency response. Robotx supplies, configures and supports the equipment and trains your people, but does not operate robots on customer sites. Robot activity should be documented in your site safety management system like any other plant.
What data does an inspection robot collect?
Depending on the sensors fitted, an inspection robot can capture visual images, thermal images, audio, and readings from analogue gauges and indicators, each tagged with location and time. Your operators review that data and can compare it over time to spot change. Where it is stored and who can access it is agreed during scoping to meet your IT and OT security requirements.
How long does it take to deploy an inspection robot at a utility site?
Timing depends on site access, the number of checkpoints, network arrangements and any integration work. The process runs through consultation, site assessment, a written proposal, then mapping, route and checkpoint configuration, and operator training. Inductions and permit requirements on energy sites can add lead time, so we plan for them early. The proposal sets out each stage and what we need from your team.
Tell us where your operation loses time.
A Robotx consultation starts with your sites, tasks and constraints. We’ll tell you where robotics fits and where it doesn’t, and what a sensible first deployment would look like.