APPLICATION
Inspection Robots
Short answer
Inspection robots carry sensors along a route and report readings, images and anomalies. Legged robots handle stairs and rough ground; wheeled and indoor inspection robots suit facilities with clear routes. Shortlist by environment and route, then confirm payload sensors, ingress protection, runtime and how data reaches your systems.
Inspection is one of the most common commercial uses of legged and wheeled robots. Success depends on matching the platform to the site, choosing sensors for what must be detected, and integrating results into existing maintenance systems.
Components you need
| Component | Role in the system | Parameters to specify |
|---|---|---|
| Quadrupeds | Platform for stairs, outdoor and rough terrain |
|
| Service & Special Robots | Wheeled or rail platform for indoor routes |
|
| LiDAR | Mapping and localization |
|
| 3D Vision | Visual inspection and measurement |
|
Model combinations to shortlist
Legged inspection platforms
Quadrupeds offered for industrial inspection; compare environment ratings on each page.
- Dimensions
- 1000 × 715 × 470 mm (standing; current manufacturer X30 Pro column)
- Weight
- 59 kg (with battery)
- DoF
- 12
- Weight (with battery)
- About 60 kg
- Ingress protection
- IP67
- Walking load
- Over 40 kg
- Weight
- 37 kg
- DoF
- 12
- Payload
- Max walking load 25 kg; max standing load 100 kg
Indoor inspection
Wheeled inspection robots for facilities with defined routes.
Sensing
LiDAR and cameras for mapping and visual inspection.
- Type
- Mechanical 360-degree lidar
- Channels
- 32
- Range
- 150 m (110 m @10% NIST)
- Technology
- Active and passive stereo IR
- IP Rating
- IP65
- Interface
- USB 3.0 Type-C
Common integration issues
- Environment ratings
- Dust, water, heat and explosive atmospheres each need specific ratings and certifications. State the site conditions in your inquiry.
- Data delivery
- Decide where readings, images and alarms go: the supplier's platform, your SCADA or maintenance system. Ask which interfaces are available.
- Route changes
- Sites change. Confirm how routes and inspection points are edited and who does it.
Related guides
FAQ
Legged or wheeled for inspection?
Legged robots for stairs, gratings and uneven ground; wheeled robots for flat facilities, where they are usually simpler and run longer.
Which certifications should I ask for?
Those required for your site, such as ingress protection and, for hazardous areas, the applicable explosion-protection certification. Confirm requirements with your safety team.
Planning a robotics purchase? Share the quantity, configuration and destination so we can check fit, availability and quote requirements.
Request a quote— The Sourcebotics sourcing desk