ULC Robotics’ CISBOT, CIRRIS XI™, and CIRRIS XR™ Robotic Systems have once again received accolades for their revolutionary technology in the gas industry. Last month, ULC’s UK Innovation partner, SGN submitted the collaborative robotics project into the nationally recognized UK Business Awards and received two awards in both the Innovation and Utilities categories. The robotics project, which began in 2013 and was completed in November 2015 competed against major UK Banks, telecom companies, and retailers throughout the UK.
Under the robotics project, SGN implemented the use of ULC’s CISBOT system in the UK to internally rehabilitate the cast iron pipelines within SGN’s network. The robot now operates on a daily basis for SGN in southern England and Scotland.
ULC Robotics, SGN and project partners RPS and DNV GL developed the CIRRIS XI™ and CIRRIS XR™ as part of the larger robotics innovation project and developed the industry-leading sensor deployment process for assessing wall thickness and stress of a cast iron pipeline wall while under live gas conditions.
CISBOT, CIRRIS XI™, and CIRRIS XR™, of which all operations are maintained for SGN by ULC, are groundbreaking innovations for the gas industry that allow gas networks to determine the useable life of their cast iron pipeline assets and extend that lifespan through internal rehabilitation.
ULC’s Pipeline Robotic Systems operate in some of the largest cities in the world including New York, Boston, and London so gas networks can safely avoid costly and disruptive replacement of their large diameter iron gas mains.
The UK Business Awards are designed to recognize and celebrate exceptional business performance. Awards were presented across a wide range of categories including Financial Services, Retail, Utilities, Business Change or Transformation, Customer Centric Organization, Disruptive Business Model, Innovation, Inspirational Leader and Best Place to Work.
