Robot Management Software Integrates Explosion-Proof Quadrupeds

Yokogawa Electric Corporation and ANYbotics have signed a partnership agreement to integrate Yokogawa’s OpreX Robot Management Core with the software stack of ANYbotics’ ANYmal inspection robots. The integration covers both explosion-proof and non-explosion-proof models and targets applications in oil and gas, power generation, and metals processing.

Integration of Robot Management and Inspection Platforms
OpreX Robot Management Core is part of Yokogawa’s broader robot solutions portfolio. The software is designed to centrally manage heterogeneous robotic systems used for plant maintenance tasks traditionally performed by human operators, including inspection and data collection.

By integrating OpreX Robot Management Core with ANYbotics’ proprietary software stack, operators can manage ANYmal robots within a unified control environment. The system enables centralized task scheduling, data aggregation, and coordination across multiple robotic platforms. When connected to plant control systems, operational data collected by the robots can be fed back into the control layer. This creates a structured data loop between inspection assets and process systems—an essential step toward autonomous plant operations.

The integration supports digital supply chain strategies by enabling structured inspection data to flow into asset management and maintenance systems.

ANYmal Platform for Industrial Inspection
ANYmal is a four-legged, autonomous inspection robot designed for operation in harsh industrial environments. The platform is equipped with high-resolution sensors for data acquisition during routine inspection tasks. Its IP67 rating ensures full protection against dust ingress and temporary immersion in water, allowing deployment in outdoor and exposed environments.

ANYbotics offers two industrial variants:

ANYmal X is described as the first explosion-proof legged inspection robot certified for Zone 1 applications under both ATEX and IECEx schemes. Prototype deployments have already been conducted, with formal market launch scheduled for later this year.

Application in Hazardous and Process Industries
The partnership addresses operational requirements in sectors where routine inspection involves exposure to high temperatures, confined spaces, explosive atmospheres, or physically demanding terrain. In oil and gas facilities, for example, autonomous quadruped robots can perform visual inspections, acoustic measurements, and thermal monitoring in areas classified under hazardous zone standards. In power generation and metals production, robotic inspections can reduce human exposure to heat, moving machinery, and elevated structures.

By integrating certified explosion-proof robots into a centralized management framework, operators can standardize inspection workflows across mixed environments. This includes facilities where both hazardous and non-hazardous zones coexist.