Shell and ExRobotics successfully develop the Sensabot

The Sensabot that our ExRobotics specialists developed with SHELL is the first IECEx Zone 1 certified robot in the world.

In 2010 a research program was launched by our customer, to develop a robot that can operate in hazardous environments, whilst the operators the operators control it from safe control rooms. is designed to find out what is going on by using eyes (normal camera’s and a thermal camera), ears (microphone), smell (gas sensor) and feel (vibration sensor). All sensors are mounted on a servo driven arm.

Shell requested the knowledge of ExRobotics in 2015 to change the design and support in the certification process for IECEx, which enables the robot to drive through a cloud of explosive gas without any danger of ignition by the robot.

First, the engineers of ExRobotics conducted extensive research on topic of IECEx-certification and thought about how to operationalize all aspects. Based on shared trust, the assignment became more extensive and included a re-design, procurement and assembly of many components (camera units, light units, sensor units, housings and other mechanical and electrical additions), commissioning and testing all components of the robot.

The result of the project was the realization of the Sensabot, the first IECEx Zone 1 certified robot in the world. It is equipped with a range of sensors and cameras that use a wireless network to communicate with a driver/operator located in a safe control room. Sensabot is now commissioned in Kazakhstan and is in the operator training phase prior to deployment at the Kashagan field.

The system is fully integrated and contains the following components:

• IECEx Zone 1 certified inspection robot
• IECEx Zone 1 certified docking station
• 4G network infrastructure
• RCS Remote control chair for safe remote operation
• Quick Deployment Container (QDC) for safe transport

The project was turned into a success by having great mutual trust between ExRobotics and Shell and enabled ExRobotics to further develop IECEx Zone 1 certified robots.