From navigating and repairing historic underground infrastructure to walking the tightrope to deliver internet to the world, ULC Technologies’ robots are solving some of the most complex challenges.
Since 2001, ULC Technologies has helped utilities, energy companies, and industrial companies repair and maintain their pipelines and various infrastructures through the development of innovative robotic solutions. In a world focused on the ever-changing technological landscape, ULC can stand out with its capabilities in robotic innovation.
Perhaps one of the most eye-catching robotic platforms in our suite of technologies, of late has been the development of the Bombyx – Fiber Installation Robot for Meta, formerly known as Facebook Connectivity. This innovative project not only showcases our expertise in robotics but also highlights our ability to solve complex problems, transforming the solutions into business-as-usual.
A Vision for Global Connectivity
As the ever-growing need to expand global internet continues to progress, companies like Facebook, or Meta, are looking for innovative ways to deliver connectivity efficiently, especially in rural and remote areas.
Fiber optic cables are the backbone of the global internet. Thanks to their immense data-carrying capacity, they enable abundant, low-cost connectivity. However, the installation of fiber optics has always been a challenging, costly, and complex process. This sadly results in leaving about 3.5 billion people, almost half the world’s population, without internet access.
These cables can either be installed through trenches and run underground or by a method called helical wrapping where fiber optic cables are wrapped around a powerline conductor. The first option results in massive construction costs especially in hard-to-reach regions, while the latter faces numerous limitations including the need for power shutdowns, a cumbersome wrapping process, and limited installation spans.
As seen in the above image, the lines in red represent Uganda’s fiber network, while the lines in yellow represent the country’s MV power grid.
The vision was clear: to create a robot that crawls along existing power lines capable of weaving fiber-optic cables over power lines, simplifying and expediting the process of connecting communities. Meta contacted ULC Technologies for this task and Bombyx was born. Deriving its name from the Latin word for a silk moth, Bombyx could metaphorically spin strands of digital silk across landscapes, bringing the world closer together digitally.
Bombyx was conceived & designed to overcome the hurdles of helical wrapping, enabling the installation of longer spans of fiber in a more cost-effective and efficient manner.
Innovations and Technical Triumphs
ULC’s role for this project was not simply just a developer but also required our team to innovate and problem-solve. Our expertise in field deployed robotics and an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by the utility sector made us the ideal partner for Meta in this venture.
The development of Bombyx involved overcoming a plethora of technical challenges. A critical design aspect was the creation of a robot that could traverse energized conductors and automatically navigate past common obstacles like pin and post insulators. This was achieved by employing a combination of machine vision, custom sensors, thruster fans, drive/lift/rotation subsystems, and advanced stabilization controls.
Operating with the grace and balance of a tightrope walker, Bombyx uses a pair of drive subsystems and robotic grippers to control its forward motion, a lift subsystem able to raise the robot’s fiber optic cable payload up over obstacles; and a rotation subsystem that helps the machine balance itself along the MV cables.
In just about 90 minutes, the robotic platform will be able to install 1km of fiber optic cable, while a crew of 2 utility personnel monitor its operation from below and keep additional spools of cable on hand.
Bombyx’s goal is simple, internet for all.
Envisioning a World Connected by Robotics
Bombyx is more than just a robot; it’s a precursor of future technological advancements. It exemplifies how robotics can transform seemingly insurmountable challenges into achievable tasks. Bombyx delivering high-speed connectivity to underserved regions globally will always remind us of the boundless potential of cutting-edge robotics.
At ULC Technologies, we promote Bombyx as an example of the incredible possibilities that lie at the intersection of robotics, innovation, and real-world applications. This project is a testament to our belief that with the right blend of technology, vision, and expertise, the impossible becomes possible.
Speak with us today and learn more about our R&D capabilities as we continue pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved through robotics.
