Industry Brief

Robotic inspection
more accessible
than everRaaS creates new opportunities forsavings, safety, and efficiency

RaaS is changing theinspection business
The concept of Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) is changing
the game for many industries, including the inspectionindustry. RaaS is a subscription-based model that makes
robotic inspection technology an attractive proposition formany companies. Market predictions surrounding RaaS painta telling picture as industry analysts project there will be 1.3
million installations by 2026i with a CAGR of 17%.ii
Innovation is critical to the success of any business, and theinspection industry is no exception. Companies that fail toembrace new technology risk falling behind their competitors
and losing market share. While using robotics to perform
inspections in confined spaces is not new, RaaS makes thepractice more accessible to more companies, including
operators, asset managers, and inspection service providers
that may not have the financial resources to purchase andmaintain robotic equipment. With this accessibility comes ahost of benefits for companies, including savings, safety, andinspection quality.
The proving ground for RaaS has been rigorous, and themodel has proven successful in many industries. For years,
the health care industry has employed RaaS to provide
access to medical equipment, such as MRI and X-raymachines. In the manufacturing industry, RaaS provides
access to robots and other automation equipment toaugment human workers.
Waygate Technologies is a leading inspection equipment
provider with a long history of innovation in the industry.
The company’s foray into the RaaS arena is no exception.
Waygate Technologies leads the way in RaaS adoption,
providing companies in oil and gas, chemical, and power
generation with easier access to robotic inspection services
that improve safety, quality, and efficiency.

Waygate Technologies
is a leading inspection
equipment provider
with a long history ofinnovation in the industry.

Robotics keepcompanies aheadof the curveWith roots tracing to medical robotics focused on minimallyinvasive intervention and diagnostics, using robots forconfined-space inspection has become increasingly
popular. Businesses in industrial settings have quickly
recognized the opportunities to minimize risks and costs
while improving efficiencies through robotic inspection.

Generational changes in the workforce are driving theadoption of robotics in the inspection industry. Veterantechnicians who have spent years working in confinedspaces, now want to avoid them. Many have witnessed thedangers and health risks involved in entering narrow tubes.
As a result, they seek safer ways to extend their careers.

The trend in the inspection industry is to do less confinedspace entry. Confined spaces pose many risks to technicians,
including exposure to hazardous substances, low oxygen
levels, and physical hazards. Robotics reduce or eliminate
these dangers, making inspections safer.

Meanwhile, younger technicians embrace new approaches
and advanced technology. Growing up with technology,
they comfortably use digital tools and data to enhance theirwork. For example, digital twins can help simulate different
scenarios, improving their understanding of assets. These
tools reduce human involvement, improving inspection
quality and consistency by using data more efficiently.

Robotic inspection services provide more consistent anddetailed reports than human technicians. Using robotics
reduces the person-hours, but the biggest savings arederived from minimization of the preparation work andelimination of the supporting resources required forhuman entry.

Robotics technology may bridge the generation gap.
Younger technicians can help veteran technicians embrace
new technology, retaining experienced workers andtransferring knowledge to the next generation. Techniciansof all ages can leverage robotics technology to improve
inspection processes by working together.

Path to robotics is easy
with RaaS
Financial upside

One of the most significant advantages of RaaS is that it
can help overcome barriers to entry to robotic inspection.
Typically, robots are expensive and can be hard to maintain,
putting them out of reach for many companies. However,with RaaS, the robot’s equipment and maintenance costs
are shifted to the provider. This model enables companies
to access cutting-edge technology without making asignificant capital investment upfront. With it, businesses
avoid capital expenses (CAPEX) and contract for access tothe technology. Companies can save on debt and taxes, asthese expenses can be deducted from taxable income. RaaS
can provide significant savings for businesses, particularly
in industries where capital expenditures are high. Some
industries note savings as high as 65% over traditional
human workers.iii
Moreover, RaaS can deliver predictability to operations.
Since inspection tasks are automated, RaaS provides
consistent task performance and uniform data collection
and analysis. This consistency can help businesses optimize
their operations, reduce the risk of errors and downtime, andimprove overall efficiency and productivity.

Savings come in many forms, and RaaS canhelp drive those savings with these additional
benefits:• Training: Traditional robotic inspection methods requirebusinesses to invest in training programs for employees
to operate and maintain the equipment. With RaaS, thatexpense is included in the program cost.
• Support: RaaS providers offer various support services,such as maintenance and repair. This helps businesses get
the most out of their robotics and ensures they are always
ready to go.
• Scalability: RaaS is a scalable solution that adapts easily
to meet the changing needs of businesses. Organizations
can add or reduce the number of robots as business needschange.
• Obsolescence avoidance: The robotics company takes
responsibility for updating and upgrading the equipment,ensuring that businesses have access to the latest
technology without investing in costly upgrades.
• Risk abatement: One of the main advantages of using
RaaS for confined-space inspections is the reductionof risk. Human inspections of confined spaces can be
hazardous. However, by engaging RaaS, asset managers
can access equipment, training, and support thateliminates the need for human inspections, reducing thepossibility of accidents and injuries. This not only ensures
the safety of workers, but also lowers insurance costs andother labor-related expenses.
• Efficiency: Another benefit of RaaS is increased efficiency
in the inspection process. With RaaS, planning cycles areshorter because the equipment and trained technicians
are always on hand. In traditional inspection processes,
scheduling resources, such as emergency services andmonitoring technicians, can take weeks or even months.
• Downtime minimized: Facility shutdowns for inspection areminimized, controlling costs that can quickly soar to tens ofthousands of dollars. The RaaS model is particularly usefulfor companies with critical infrastructure or the need tomaintain a high production level.
• Quality control: Robotics deliver confined space
inspections that meet the highest quality standards. Witha digital twin, robots can quickly assess trouble areas andhelp businesses avoid costly mistakes and unplanned
repairs.
• Workforce for the future: RaaS ensures that workers aresafe, efficient, and working smarter. The system enables
inspection teams to make better decisions more quickly
directly at the inspection site.

Waygate Technologies leads the way
in confined-space RaaS
The Waygate Technologies RaaS offering includes three primary components: the BIKE platform,a pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera, and the 3D LOC software and 3D LOC POLE.iv

The BIKE platform is a magnetic-wheeled robot capable of inspecting
power plant facilities and multiple applications in the oil and gas industry,
such as vessel or pipe inspection. The robot can reach locations previously
inaccessible to humans due to size constraints, temperature, immersion inliquids, or safety reasons. It makes inspections safer and more efficient.

The PTZ HD30 is a powerful industrial-grade inspection camera for remotevisual inspections. The camera is equipped with a 30x optical zoom, whichenables gathering very sharp images even from great distances.

The 3D LOC POLE provides a full 3D spatial awareness of the robot in theasset and geotags inspection images to the PTZ camera. With this precise
positioning, future inspections are fully automated.

Entry into confined spaces no longer needs to be a risk to the safety and healthof those involved in operations, thanks to robotic vessel inspection solutions fromWaygate Technologies. With the BIKE platform, point-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera, and3D LOC software and 3D LOC POLE, asset owners increase safety while ensuring
more accurate, consistent, and efficient inspections.
To help asset owners quickly realize the benefits of robotic inspection, Waygate
Technologies includes the creation of a 3D model, or digital twin, containing all theinspection data in its RaaS offering. With this, inspection reports can be generated
automatically, and data can be uploaded into asset performance management
systems as needed.
Waygate Technologies’ RaaS solution is a turnkey offering at a fraction of the costof purchasing a comprehensive robotic inspection system. RaaS also includes one
day of on-site training and access to the online academy for additional training
resources. Included on-site three-day first mission support is augmented byunlimited online consultation with technical support teams.
Repairs of up to $10,000 per year are also included in the RaaS solution, as aresoftware and hardware upgrades. Additionally, yearly maintenance and calibration
are provided for the duration of the contract. These features help companies
minimize the risk of unexpected expenses and downtime due to equipment failure.

WaygateTechnologies’
complete RaaS
solution forconfined-space
inspectiondelivers savings,
improved
efficiency, andgreater safety.

Final thoughts
Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) is a game changer for the inspection industry. Bymaking it easier to leverage robotics technology, Waygate Technologies helps
companies improve safety, quality, and cost savings while reducing the need forhuman entry into confined spaces. The company is leading the way in this arena,
offering innovative solutions that help businesses stay ahead of the curve.
If you’re not quite ready to take on robotic inspection in-house, many service
providers are already incorporating robotics into their offerings. By partneringwith a service provider that offers RaaS, you can benefit from the use of robots forinspections while still working with a trusted partner. These service providers can
supply the necessary inspections and assessments you need while leveraging theadvantages of robotics.
RaaS offers many advantages, including shorter planning cycles, predictable
operating expenses, no downtime, and the ability to redeploy personnel andexperience. These benefits make RaaS attractive for companies interested in
improving their inspection processes and staying competitive in today’s fastpaced business environment.

Referencesi

https://internetofbusiness.com/how-robotics-as-a-service-is-extending-towhole-factories-analysis/ii

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/robotics-as-a-service-raasmarket-to-grow-at-a-cagr-of-17--high-cost-of-deployment-of-robots-toboost-growth-17000-technavio-reports-301406557.html

iii https://www.automate.org/blogs/the-rise-of-robots-as-a-serviceiv https://dam.bakerhughes.com/m/237af979c2513f08/original/BHW-14466-CBVessel-Inspection_Brochure_R14.pdf

Considering RaaS for confined space inspections?
Learn more at waygate-tech.com/RaaS.

Learn More

Copyright 2023 Baker Hughes Company. All rights reserved. This material contains one
or more registered trademarks of Baker Hughes Company and its subsidiaries in one
or more countries. All third-party product and company names are trademarks of theirrespective holders. (05/2023)
BHYM_RaaS_Industry-Brief

waygate-tech.com