Blackline Safety Corp. has partnered with MFE Inspection Solutions to integrate Blackline’s cloud-connected portable detector with Boston Dynamics‘ Spot mobile industrial robot dog.
“Gas detection is critical for safety. And teams are no longer limited to collecting that data only when a person enters the area,” said Dylan Duke, CEO of MFE Inspection Solutions. “Robots like Spot are already being used to collect inspection data remotely in hazardous environments. This solution adds real-time gas detection to those workflows, giving operators insight into gas hazards before deciding how and when to send people in.”
Industrial gas monitoring has traditionally relied on personal monitors worn by workers. Connected gas detection gives teams access to gas data from multiple sources (personal gas monitors, area gas monitors, and remote systems like robots or drones) with live, detailed views of atmospheric conditions that help organisations make faster decisions.
“This is about connecting technologies customers are already using and making them more useful together,” said Christine Gillies, Chief Product and Marketing Officer, Blackline Safety. “MFE has built the digital plumbing to connect Spot with Blackline’s connected gas detection platform, adding another layer to worker protection while giving organisations critical exposure data as it happens, not after the fact like with traditional monitors, so they can make informed decisions in the moment.”
The solution lets operators view gas readings and alerts in Blackline Safety’s Blackline Live software, directly on the Spot tablet during operation, providing real-time awareness in the field.
It also triggers automated return-to-home actions when defined gas thresholds, such as rising LEL, are detected, helping teams move Spot out of hazardous conditions and protect site personnel.
Teams can use a range of hot-swappable, configurable, cartridge-based sensors on the robot dog that can be tailored to different environments and applications:
“Spot’s thermal, acoustic, and visual inspection abilities provide AI-powered predictive insights into facility health,” said Merry Frayne, Senior Director of Product at Boston Dynamics. “Integrating the Blackline Safety portable device gives process manufacturers an even more complete picture of their site while keeping people out of harm’s way.”