The Monumental Cost of Certifying an Explosion-Proof Robot
Channel: Collaborative With Spencer Krause
Date: 05/08/2021

In this two-minute clip, Stephen Antolich, Paragonix Tek CEO, explains some of the expenses and challenges associated with qualifying explosion proof robots to meet a European standard - ATEX.

The ATEX classification- which sets strict safety standards for which devices can be safely used in potentially explosive atmospheres, can cost more than a million dollars, and take years to receive.  In order to prove operational safety, fully functioning devices are destroyed during testing to pass the inspection of these strict safety standards. Among other destructive tests, you have to blow the robot up to certify it.

Detonating functioning robots alone can quickly become costly, not to mention the time, brainpower, cost of materials, and systems engineering that goes into ensuring compliance. 


Stephen Antolich specializes in engineering, certifying, and deploying explosion-proof robots all over the world. Check out Stephen's work at http://www.paragonixtek.com/home.html


If you enjoyed this clip, join us for the full episode at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxSSYF4viw8