A connection running from the robot to its human operator using a game controller allows for remote powering and control of the robot.
The operator views live video from the SPD1’s onboard camera, which can be either a Raspberry Pi Camera Module 2 or an XDV360 360-degree camera.
The user can pan and tilt on their touchscreen instead of physically panning and tilting the actual camera.
The robot uses sensors and LED headlights, which it calls “spider eyes,” to scan its surroundings.
According to Kawakubo, earlier versions of the SPD1 used wheels to move.
However, the uneven, rocky topography of canal systems quickly proved too challenging.
During testing, the eight legs used in place of the wheel assembly gave the remote controlled machines much more mobility and range.
While SPD1 can only be used for inspections, tmusk also sees three of the robots physically connected by a cable, working as a team to complete various challenges.
Synchronously, the first robot would explore the pipe, the second would discover the parts that needed repairing, and the third robot would do the attachment with a robotic arm containing a tool, the company said.
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