Laser-based robotic instrumentation for industrial monitoring and control
Context
Many industrial environments require continuous or periodic monitoring under operational constraints that make conventional laboratory analysis impractical. In sectors such as airport infrastructure, inspection tasks must be carried out in operational conditions, with minimal disruption and under strict safety and reliability requirements. Robotic platforms provide a suitable solution, provided that the embedded analytical instrumentation can operate autonomously, robustly and with response times compatible with industrial workflows.
Project framework
AIROB is a technology transfer project developed under a CDTI contract with a private company, focused on the design and construction of a portable LIBS-based analytical instrument to be embedded into an unmanned ground vehicle for automated industrial inspection tasks. The project required close interaction between instrumentation development and application requirements, following timelines and validation criteria typical of the private sector rather than academic research.
Instrumentation approach
The project involved the complete design, construction and integration of a self-contained LIBS spectrometer, encompassing optics, mechanics, electronics and software. The instrument was conceived to operate autonomously as an independent analytical subsystem when deployed on a robotic platform, ensuring safe and reliable performance regardless of the state or control architecture of the host system.
Key aspects include:
- Independent instrument control and safety management
- Embedded distance measurement and laser interlock handled at low level
- Dedicated instrument control software with remote operation capability
- Communication with the robotic platform through an application-level protocol defined by the industrial partner
Results
The project resulted in a fully functional LIBS instrument and control software, validated through extensive laboratory testing and representative field trials. A comprehensive spectral library covering a wide range of materials relevant to airport infrastructures was generated, and robust classification procedures based on spectral correlation were implemented. The system demonstrated its ability to identify materials and surface conditions under realistic operational scenarios without requiring sample preparation.
Impact
AIROB demonstrates the group’s capability to deliver advanced analytical instrumentation for industrial robotic applications, combining autonomy, safety and rapid development cycles compatible with private-sector requirements.