Publication
A Robot Application for Marine Vessel Inspection
Markus Eich; Francisco Bonnin; Emilio Garcia; Alberto Ortiz; Gabriele Bruzzone; Yannis Koveos; Frank Kirchner
In: Journal of Field Robotics, Wiley-Blackwell, 2014.
Abstract
Seagoing vessels have to undergo regular inspections, which are currently performed manually by ship surveyors. The main cost factor in a ship inspection is to provide access to the different areas of the ship, since the surveyor has to be close to the inspected parts, usually within hand’s reach, either to perform a visual analysis or to take thickness measurements. The access to the structural elements in cargo holds, e.g., bulkheads, is normally provided by staging or by ‘cherry-picking’ cranes. To make ship inspections safer and more cost-efficient, we have introduced new inspection methods, tools, and systems, which have been evaluated in field trials, particularly focusing on cargo holds. More precisely, two magnetic climbing robots and a micro-aerial vehicle, which are able to assist the surveyor during the inspection, are introduced. Since localization of inspection data is mandatory for the surveyor, we also introduce an external localization system which has been verified in field trials, using a climbing inspection robot. Furthermore, the inspection data collected by the robotic systems is organized and handled by a spatial content management system which permits comparing the inspection data of one survey with that from another, as well as documenting the ship inspection when the robot team is used. Image-based defect detection is addressed by proposing an integrated solution for detecting corrosion and cracks. The systems’ performance is reported, as well as conclusions on their usability, all in accordance with the output of field trials performed onboard two different vessels under real inspection conditions.