Applications

Security

Snake-arm robots move without disturbing the scene and can go where no person wants to go. This case study describes how OC Robotics worked with the UK Ministry of Defence to design a robot capable of remote car inspection.

Video showing the snake-arm reaching under a car
Video showing the arm reaching through a car window into the footwell

Remote vehicle inspection

In April 2003, OC Robotics signed a contract with the UK Ministry of Defence to build a 2.5m long snake-arm robot able to carry a payload of 25kg.

Where a rigid-link robot is restricted by the "elbows" in its arms, a snake-arm can follow its nose to reach through small gaps and around narrowly spaced obstacles. This makes it ideal for getting into awkward spaces.

In early 2005 OC Robotics successfully demonstrated the capability of the arm to reach into a car through an open window. The arm reached through the driver’s window to the back seat of the car where an object was viewed through the tip-mounted camera. The contract also stated that the arm must be strong enough to tow a car. OC Robotics snake-arms are axially strong because of the high loading ability of the wires running along their length so the 95mm diameter arm was able to tow a car with ease.

Download the full case study (pdf)

Since this project we have had further projects with the UK MoD as well as projects with the US Department of Defense.

Please contact us to find out more about our work in this area.