WA-based robotics company Nexxis has been recognised at the IFAP CGU SafeWay Awards for its innovative technology revolutionising worker safety in industrial environments.
The company picked up the Innovation in WHS Award at the gala event at the Crown Towers last month for its Magneto-EX technology, developing the world’s first EX-rated robotic crawler – a spider-like device that is the first system in the world to be suitable for safe use in hazardous area inspections.
Developed by Nexxis, the robotic crawler is designed to negotiate hazardous, confined space inspections. Its versatile, spider-like magnetic feet can crawl through even the tightest, high-risk settings, negating the need for human operators and minimising possible human errors and accidents.
Nexxis Founder and Director Jason De Silveira said that he was delighted with the award and paid tribute to everyone involved in the design and development of the robotic crawler.
Magneto represents a major leap in safer inspections for the oil and gas industry, as well as other sectors including mining, infrastructure and petrochemical requirements where there is a need for hazardous, confined space inspections.
The cutting-edge technology behind the robot enables internal visual inspection of assets and more detailed data to be gathered.
Jason De Silveira
Magneto is also capable of integrating intelligent autonomous control systems and is designed to carry a wide range of non-destructive testing (NDT) sensors, remote visual inspection (RVI) cameras, and maintenance tools.
“Improved accessibility, frequency and accuracy of inspections enabled by Magneto will lead to reduced environmental and safety risks, targeted and immediate maintenance and repairs, faster decision making and longer operational life of assets,” Jason adds.
What’s next?
Nexxis is focused on the commercialisation of the inspection robot, which was launched in August 2021 and is expected to be available to the market next year.
Earlier this month, Nexxis won a $675,000 Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) Commercialisation Fund grant to assist with the commercialisation of the magneto technology.
Commercial production of a robot crawler that can perform complex inspections will be a breakthrough innovation in the Australian technology sector.
More about Nexxis
Magneto has been designed and developed by Nexxis in conjunction with Data61, a division of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), with the financial assistance and industry support of the National Energy Resources Australia (NERA), an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded through Federal Government grants.
Established in Perth in 2014, Nexxis is a pioneer of cutting-edge, end-to-end solutions delivering transformational custom robotic, finance and support solutions to clients.
The O’Connor-based company, with international offices in Houston and Singapore, provides remote visual inspection, non-destructive testing and robotic technology across a range of industries including energy, mining, space, shipbuilding, transportation, construction, chemicals and defence.
