The snake robot, called Eelume, is a six-meter-long vehicle. Eelum is suitable for subsea maintenance, inspection, and helpful for use at oil and gas production facilities and pipelines. This robot makes the work underwater much easier, safer, cheaper, and less polluting.
Eelume is designed as a flexible self-propelled robotic arm that can transit over long distances. It also can carry out IMR in limited space places that could be difficult for conventional underwater vehicles to access. Living permanently underwater is one of its features. Regardless of weather conditions, the underwater robot can mobilize24/7.
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Engineers can keep the snake robot at a docking station at depths of up to 1,640 feet (500 meters). The surprising thing is that this robot can stay for six months at “hibernating” mode when not in use without surfacing.
To reduce costs, the Eelume can travel up to 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) without the need to recharge in the station.
Due to its flexibility, the snake-like robot can stretch its joints and change its shape to manage to access the most inapproachable spaces.
Also, to allow the robot to perform several tasks, the Eelume is equipped with tools to operate subsea valves, sensors, a communication module, cleaning brushes, in addition to lights, and a camera.
Norway-based inspection and survey company Argeo AS knew the importance of Eelume. So the company recently signed a contract with Eelume developer to use this robot for underwater operations.
“The Eelume technology will help Argeo lower its carbon footprint, and increase efficiency. Also, it will reduce its costs related to inspection, light intervention, and monitoring of subsea assets and infrastructure”. Trond Crantz, the company’s CEO said.
