Andrew on a voyage of discovery with BoRIS the robot
Oct 25 2007 by Chris Knox, The Journal
AN entrepreneurial inventor hopes to increase safety on the high seas with a robot that can check for defects on ships and oil rigs.
The robot, named BoRIS, uses magnets to reach the precarious areas found on the structures and video-records its findings for inspection.
It is the brainchild of electronic engineering graduate Andrew Teasdale, who realised there was a market for the technology after a number of work experience placements during his studies at Durham University, including time spent with Hartlepool nuclear power station.
Andrew, 23, who has set up Magnetron Robotics to sell the robots, says that the invention is unique in that it can be used for a multitude of different inspections.
He said: “Most robots are designed to carry out a particular job, such as check for cracks in pipes. BoRIS is far more versatile. For example, BoRIS can work on board a ship, inspecting for problems while being blasted by water and strong winds. It can operate where people cannot go and provides significant health and safety advantages, as well as being cost effective.
“Its ability to clamp itself on to a surface enables it to operate in harsh conditions where humans and other robots would find it difficult.”
The robot, which costs around £5,000, is also adaptable and can include additional tools such as ultrasonic sensors for testing the integrity of welded joints.
Andrew says he can grow the business without the need of a loan. His plans include the creation of a small team, including technicians and sales staff.
Although he will be concentrating on the offshore market during the early stages of the business, Andrew also plans to expand into other areas such as bridges and buildings with metal structures. He also plans to approach a number of blue chip companies with his invention.
“In the future, I hope to expand the business into other industries, and produce teams of semi-autonomous robots that could work together to accomplish a task, even forming bridges to span gaps by clamping on to one another,” he said.
Andrew was among the finalists for the North-East Universities Business Planning Competition, also known as the Blueprint Awards. He also received the School of Engineering Entrepreneurial Award on his graduation earlier this year and when he was 16 he won the North-East Spirit of Innovation Award for helping to build a remotely operated submarine.
