In Japan, the deterioration of the infrastructure like the bridges and
tunnels are progressing, and collapsing accidents are happening.
The deterioration is progressing as one after other highway network was
constructed accompanied by the rapid maintenance in entire Japan during the high-growth
period of the 1960-70's.
It was clear that the inspection work of the highway installation with
the complex structure was more difficult than expected, and require much labor and
cost.
In this situation, a robot that can save the labor of inspection work
and do it at low cost was developed.
The bridge inspection robot “Bairimu” made by that Osaka City
University.
This robot attaches the wheel (4 wheels) made from
eight spokes attached with a powerful permanent magnet, and drives through the
steel bridge made with solid structure that is difficult for the people to work
unless large quantity of scaffolding is put together.
The robot can climb, and freely move by swinging, and the visual
inspection can be done using the mounted camera.
The size of the robot opened to the public was 34cm in total length, 16 cm
in width, and 660 grams of weight.
The driving speed in horizontal direction is 20 centimeter/second, and
when climbing vertically it is 15 centimeter/second
The weight of the inspection equipment such as sensors that can be mounted
with stability during the vertical climb is confirmed up to 500 grams.
The robot is a 4 wheel drive, can turn at 45 centimeter radius, and can
climb over even if there is some difference.
The damaged portion of the bridge can be inspected from the air using
unmanned drones etc. but this robot is not affected by the wind, and can
carefully do the investigation at point blank range
It is said that the inspection charge are cheaper, and the breakdown of
the robot is also less.
It is said that the breakdown of the robot is also few.
Since the robot moves by attaching with the steel
member, it is said the robot can also be used in various equipment like the
steel tower, storage tanks, and bottom of the ship.
I think in the future it is not only making the items, but the technical
development on how to make the items created to last long as important.
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