Underwater Robot Dog: Polish Firm Unveils Honey Badger for Industrial Inspections
Staff Editor Polish Robotics Firm Unveils Underwater Robot Dog for Industrial Inspections
MAB Robotics, a Polish robotics company, has introduced the Honey Badger, an innovative underwater robot dog designed to assist in underwater inspections and maintenance in flooded areas. A recent video demonstration showcasing the Honey Badger walking underwater has garnered attention for its eerie yet impressive capabilities.
The Honey Badger’s legged design sets it apart from traditional finned underwater robots, offering superior navigation in unknown and unstructured terrains. This unique approach makes it particularly suitable for environments such as underground tunnels, narrow passages, and waterlogged terrains. Compared to Boston Dynamics’ well-known Spot robot, the Honey Badger is more compact, measuring 23 inches long and 19 inches tall.
Equipped with advanced technology, including a thermal camera, gas sensor, and LIDAR, the Honey Badger is capable of operating at depths up to 330 feet. The robot can travel at speeds just over 3 feet per second, making it efficient for various underwater tasks. However, developers faced challenges in sealing the robot’s actuators to ensure they remain lightweight and robust in aquatic environments.
MAB Robotics employed an iterative development process, creating several prototypes to test and expand the Honey Badger’s limits. The company continues to work on enhancing the robot’s reliability. Already, the Honey Badger has been successfully deployed in industrial inspections for a water and sewage management company.
Following successful field tests, MAB Robotics plans to commercialize the Honey Badger, with the potential for further improvements and applications across various industries. This development comes amid growing interest in robotic solutions for challenging environments, including other robot dogs tested by the US Army with AI-powered rifles.
As underwater robotics continue to evolve, the Honey Badger represents a significant step forward in combining terrestrial and aquatic capabilities, opening new possibilities for industrial inspections and maintenance in previously inaccessible areas.
