MAB Robotics, a Polish company, has developed an advanced underwater quadrupedal robot, the “Honey Badger,” designed for underwater inspections and maintenance in flooded or challenging environments. The robot, significantly smaller than Boston Dynamics’ Spot, is compact, measuring only 23 inches long and 19 inches tall. It operates at depths of up to 330 feet and can navigate rugged, unstructured terrains like waterlogged areas, narrow passages, and underground tunnels.
Key features include a thermal camera, a gas sensor, and LIDAR, allowing it to gather essential data during inspections. Engineers faced a significant challenge in waterproofing the robot’s actuators, balancing both robustness and lightweight construction. The Honey Badger is already field-tested, supporting industrial inspections for a water and sewage management company.
Key Insights:
- Specialized Design: Honey Badger’s legged design offers unique navigation advantages over traditional finned or wheeled robots, particularly in complex or uneven underwater terrains.
- Technical Capabilities: With advanced sensors and an impressive depth tolerance, it’s well-suited for diverse inspection and maintenance applications.
- Real-World Applications: The robot is in active use, showing promise for commercial deployment in sectors requiring underwater inspection and repair solutions.
- Ongoing Improvement: MAB Robotics aims to further enhance the robot’s reliability, driven by field testing insights and prototype iterations.
This innovation highlights the growing trend of robots serving specialized roles in challenging and hazardous environments, expanding the possibilities for maintenance and inspection technologies.