Enhancing Health and Safety Management with Robotic Technology

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Technology advancements are transforming not only our daily lives but also the way we manage health and safety. A notable example is the use of robots to perform critical tasks in environments that present potential hazards.

Inspectors safely monitor data collection from outside the confined space as a robot navigates the manhole, capturing detailed images and information, thereby reducing risks and enhancing efficiency

Traditional inspections of hazardous and confined spaces often pose risks to safety personnel due to limited accessibility. This restricted access prevents inspectors from comfortably working inside to gather data, leading to incomplete data collection and increased personnel, time, and costs.

Recently, a robot was deployed to conduct a manhole survey in a project at Kowloon Tong, accessing the condition of the manhole and related pipe information. The use of this robot addresses safety concerns by accessing hard-to-reach areas to safely collect comprehensive data, eliminating the need for workers to enter confined spaces.

Another example of robotic application is the innovative solution developed through collaboration between the Industrial Centre, the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, and the Department of Health Technology and Informatics, with support from the HSO.

AI-powered legged robot conducting a chemical leakage inspection in a laboratory setting (left) and inspectors obtain data from the advanced sensors and cameras installed on the robot (right) (Images sourced from IC video)

Equipped with a 360-degree camera, an indoor environmental quality monitoring system, and a gas detector, the AI-powered robot excels in managing chemical leakage scenarios in laboratory settings. It can measure indoor environmental factors and detect a wide range of gases, including oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, lower explosive limits, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and hydrogen cyanide. This capability, combined with the comprehensive view provided by the cameras, enhances management by protecting inspectors from exposure to hazardous substances during initial risk assessments. To see the robot in action and understand how it works, watch the IC’s video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_kd50QChLc. 

These examples demonstrate how robotic technology is enhancing health and safety management by reducing risks to personnel and improving data collection efficiency and accuracy.