Belvoir Rail has acquired two quadruped robots that will transform the way in inspecting and maintaining railway rolling stock.

The robots are Unitree Go2s, which are super-smart, bionic quadruped robots which the company will collaborate with WMG – University of Warwick to enhance their capabilities for a revolution in rail inspections.

Their innovative technology and capabilities redefine the nature of railway inspections with a focus on safety and efficiency. The robotics intelligence, agility, and capabilities, and bring a new era of inspections to the rail industry, surpassing what was previously thought possible.

By integrating cutting-edge technology, inspections will not only be more reliable but also improve the standards of operational excellence and proactive maintenance strategies. Equipped with state-of-the-art 4D lidar technology, the robots have omnidirectional 360° vision and multiple knee joint motors that provide remarkable agility.

Belvoir Rail is confident that the robots will improve the safety, efficiency, and productivity of rail inspection and maintenance teams, and by incorporating them into the inspection process there will be numerous advantages in complex and challenging environments.

With safety being a top priority during inspection work, the use of robotic technology will lead to a significant reduction in risks for human inspectors as they are capable of operating in hazardous environments and will lead to safer inspection practices.

The robots’ ability to perform continuous 24/7 monitoring means that any maintenance issues will be identified promptly, thereby preventing potential failures and breakdowns.

Each robot is fitted with an array of sensors and cameras that continuously collect data to provide detailed information on equipment and infrastructure conditions such as temperature, vibration analysis, and visual inspections. They can be adapted for specific inspection requirements, and are ideal for repetitive and time-consuming processes.

Being operated remotely gives the robots the flexibility for inspectors to control and monitor inspections from a safe location. This is of particular benefit where the physical presence of inspectors might not be practical or where the working environment is challenging or dangerous.

Using the robots for inspections opens up new possibilities, such as planning maintenance and tracking the history of equipment conditions over time. They can also be equipped with various tools and sensors appropriate to the specific requirements of an inspection task, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.

With their ability to move through tight spaces and access difficult areas, incorporating robotics into the inspection process redefines the range of tasks to be carried out during inspections, making them ideal for use in operational or depot environments.

AI has been built into the robots so they can continuously learn, and their ability to perform repetitive tasks allows human inspectors to focus on more complex and strategic aspects of their roles.

Last December, Belvoir Rail signed up to become a member of the Railway Industry Association (RIA).