Robot Dogs Boost Efficiency and Safety on Factory Floors

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Andrew Hamilton, Head of the Digital Process Manufacturing Centre (DPMC) at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS)

Today’s manufacturing facilities are vast, interconnected spaces where machinery runs around the clock and processes stretch over large areas. From bustling factory floors and plant rooms to service corridors and outdoor assets, engineering teams need a clear view of areas that aren’t always easy or safe to reach.

Keeping everything running smoothly in these environments hinges on having accurate, timely information and the ability to act before small issues turn into big problems.

However, getting that level of insight isn’t as simple as it sounds. Manual inspections are still the norm, requiring engineers to traverse the site, take readings, and log data into various systems. This can be a labor-intensive process, often varying from person to person, and it becomes even more challenging as facilities expand and grow more complex.

In light of these challenges, robot dogs are being increasingly considered as a solution for inspections, monitoring, and data collection, all while keeping daily operations running smoothly.

Industrial Robotics Expands Beyond the Production Line

The broader rise of industrial robotics sheds light on this trend. In 2024 alone, over 542,000 robots were deployed in factories worldwide, more than double the number from just ten years ago. Annual installations have consistently surpassed 500,000 units for the past four years.

While most industrial robots are still fixed to production lines, manufacturers are now turning their attention to mobile robots that can navigate operational environments and access areas that are safer and more efficient for them to reach than for humans.

Robot dogs are really paving the way for exciting new opportunities.

Take Boston Dynamics’ Spot, for instance. These quadruped platforms are built to navigate spaces designed for humans, not just machines. Their knack for tackling stairs, uneven terrain, and tight spots makes them perfect for inspection and monitoring tasks in manufacturing facilities that might be tricky or unsafe for humans to access.

With cameras, thermal sensors, and environmental monitoring gear onboard, these robot dogs can follow set paths and gather data that’s time-stamped and linked to specific locations. This gives manufacturers a reliable, high-quality overview of conditions throughout the site.

Enhancing Worker Safety and Operational Efficiency

But it’s not just about visibility; robot dogs also boost worker safety and efficiency.

By taking on tasks in potentially hazardous areas, these autonomous platforms free up engineers and technicians to spend more time on analysis, decision-making, and optimizing processes.

Instead of replacing human teams, robot dogs work alongside them, extending their capabilities and minimizing the need for workers to enter risky environments.

Robot Dogs in Shipbuilding and Maritime Manufacturing

This approach is especially beneficial in large and complex manufacturing settings.

In maritime and shipbuilding environments, where facilities can stretch across multiple compartments and several contractors are working at once, robot dogs equipped with imaging or 3D scanning technology can navigate these spaces to verify installations and spot discrepancies. This not only cuts down on the need for repeated manual walkthroughs but also helps teams keep track of progress as projects move forward.

Supporting Predictive Maintenance in Process Manufacturing

Process manufacturing is another area where robot dogs can shine.

Take the drinks manufacturing industry, for example. Here, utilities like carbon dioxide are crucial for daily operations and need to be monitored closely.

Robot dogs are stepping up to the plate, handling routine inspections, taking meter and gauge readings, and checking on equipment conditions with the help of advanced technologies like thermal and infrared sensing.

When they spot something unusual, they can send alerts straight to maintenance teams, allowing for planned interventions before any unexpected downtime occurs.

Robot Dogs Put Digital Readiness to the Test

Bringing in mobile robots also nudges manufacturers to take a closer look at their overall digital readiness.

Once these robot dogs hit the factory floor, factors like network coverage, data integration, sensor choices, and information ownership become crucial.

For many manufacturers, these mobile robots offer a practical way to dive into digitalization without the hefty costs and disruptions that come with retrofitting permanent sensing infrastructure in an existing facility.

New Capabilities Expand Manufacturing Applications

The push for greater digital readiness is also shaping the evolution of robot technology itself.

As payload capacities grow and software interfaces become more user-friendly, integrating third-party sensors and analytics platforms is becoming less of a custom job than it used to be.

Quadruped robots are already proving their worth in inspection and data collection, while manufacturers are actively looking into how these platforms can be tailored to tackle specific operational challenges.

As their capabilities continue to evolve, robot dogs could empower manufacturing teams to work more efficiently, enhance visibility, and respond proactively to emerging issues.

For those who jump on board early, these advancements could offer a competitive edge and help position UK manufacturing for safer, more resilient, and increasingly digitally enabled operations.

NMIS, operated by the University of Strathclyde, is part of the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult.