Designing intrinsically safe robotic inspection systems used for unmanned navigation and inspection of large tanks with hazardous and explosive atmosphere is challenging. The disclosed methods and devices provide solutions to overcome such challenge. Intrinsically safe devices and methods using a combination of a lighter-than-air blimp with various intrinsically safe subsystems attached to the blimp are presented.

One embodiment provides an apparatus, including: a pipe inspection robot that traverses a pipe; a fetter comprising a water pump; and an intake hose that couples the pump of the jetter to a local water source proximate to the pipe inspection robot. Other aspects are described and claimed.

A medical observation apparatus includes: an imaging unit; a support unit including arms, a first joint that connects two of the arms and relatively rotates the two arms about a first rotation axis in accordance with given power, a second joint that connects two of the arms and relatively rotates the two arms about a second rotation axis in accordance with given power, a first motor that gives the power to the first joint, and a second motor that gives the power to the second joint; and a controller configured to control a rotational speed of the first motor in accordance with a first speed profile until the rotational speed reaches a predetermined operational speed, and control, until the rotational speed reaches the predetermined operational speed, a rotational speed of the second motor in accordance with a second speed profile that is different from the first speed profile.

One embodiment provides a method for identifying a target object of a pipe wall, including: positioning a pipe inspection robot within a pipe; emitting, using a terahertz (THz) beam source of the pipe inspection robot, a laser beam towards a target object; receiving, using a THz receiver of the pipe inspection robot, THz data related to the target object; analyzing, using a processor, the THz data; and determining, based on the analyzing, an identity of the object. Other aspects are described and claimed.

An inspection system comprises a crane system, a six axis, one hundred and fifty degree articulating robotic arm, a laser inspection system, and a communications system. The robotic arm is connected to a base of the crane system. The laser inspection system is connected to the robotic arm. The communications system is configured to send and receive instructions for the crane system, the robotic arm, and the laser inspection system.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for inspecting driver assistance systems provided in a vehicle, including: a multi-joint robot; a first inspection unit mounted on the multi-joint robot and inspecting some of the driver assistance systems inside the vehicle; and a second inspection unit separably mounted from the multi-joint robot or the first inspection unit and inspecting other some of the driver assistance systems from an outside of the vehicle.

An electronic component mounting system includes a component information change history storage unit that stores component information including operating parameters for numerical determination of an operation mode of an electronic component mounting operation unit and a change history of the component information, a mounting error recorder that detects a mounting error occurring during an electronic component mounting operation and records mounting error information relating to an occurrence situation of the mounting error, and a display unit that displays a transition of the mounting error on a screen of the display unit and reads past component information for designated date and time based on the designated date and time so that a correlation between change in the component information and the mounting error can be checked with ease and the component information including the operating parameter can be restored to a proper state.

A modular device is used to inspect a confined space in a machine. The entire inspection coverage area and corresponding status are mapped so that the inspection location and associated data are graphically visualized. An accelerometer mounted on the device serves as a tilt sensor and also provides data about a collision of the device with the space being inspected or defects therein. The accelerometer data in combination with an odometry system determines the axial position of the device. A gyroscope mounted on the device is used to determine the device heading. The locational information is used to generate an inspection map that provides inspection history, logged data and a reference that are useful in scheduling the next inspection. The output of the gyroscopes can be used to provide haptic feedback to the device operator to maintain proper device orientation.

A method and system for identifying a work piece center of mass includes coupling a work piece to a manipulator assembly. The manipulator assembly includes a force and torque sensor. The work piece is positioned in at least two different orientations relative to a gravity vector with the manipulator assembly. The at least two different orientations include at least first and second orientations. In the first orientation the force and torque sensor measures a first torque and at least a first force associated with the work piece in the first orientation. In the second orientation the force and torque sensor measures a second torque associated with the work piece in the second orientation. The work piece center of mass is identified according to at least the measured first and second torques and at least the first force.

An underwater manipulator arm robot comprises: a plurality of links that are connected to one another by joint modules for generating a flexural motion of the robot; multiple thrust devices located at different points along the length of the robot for applying thrust to the robot for propulsion and/or guidance; and at least one tool, or at least one connection point for a tool, attached to the robot; wherein the flexural motion and/or thrust devices enable movement of the robot and control of the orientation and/or location of the tool.