Blackline Safety's Gas Detector Partners with Boston Dynamics' Spot Robot Dog

The world's top mobile industrial robot, Boston Dynamics' Spot, will be integrated with Blackline Safety's cloud-connected portable detector through a cooperation with MFE Inspection Solutions. Before sending workers into potentially hazardous regions, the system quickly provides remote monitoring teams with gas readings, alerts and location data by integrating linked gas detection into robotic operations.

“Gas detection is critical for safety. And teams are no longer limited to collecting that data only when a person enters the area,” said Dylan Duke, CEO of MFE Inspection Solutions. “Robots like Spot are already being used to collect inspection data remotely in hazardous environments. This solution adds real-time gas detection to those workflows, giving operators insight into gas hazards before deciding how and when to send people in.”

Workers' personal monitors have always been the mainstay of industrial gas monitoring. By providing teams with access to gas data from many sources—personal monitors, area monitors and distant systems like robots or drones—connected gas detection offers a new model that enables enterprises to make choices more quickly by providing live, complete views of atmospheric conditions. An essential component of the connected worker jigsaw is the MFE Spot Connected Gas Detection Solution, which enables teams to remotely monitor gas conditions without putting workers in danger.

“This is about connecting technologies customers are already using and making them more useful together,” said Christine Gillies, Chief Product and Marketing Officer, Blackline Safety. “MFE has built the digital plumbing to connect Spot with Blackline’s connected gas detection platform, adding another layer to worker protection while giving organizations critical exposure data as it happens, not after the fact like with traditional monitors, so they can make informed decisions in the moment.”

The technology provides real-time field awareness by enabling operators to examine gas readings and alarms in Blackline Safety's Blackline Live software directly on the Spot tablet while operating. Additionally, it helps teams move Spot out of dangerous situations and safeguard site workers by initiating automated return-to-home actions when specified gas thresholds—like growing LEL—are recognized. Numerous hot-swappable, adaptable, cartridge-based sensors that may be customized for various settings and uses are available to teams:

• It can be used by oil and gas operators to keep an eye on LEL conditions or flammable gases like methane.
• It can be used in semiconductor factories to identify gasses such as ammonia.
• It can be used in chemical processing facilities to keep an eye out for harmful gases like sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide or hydrogen sulfide.

"Spot's thermal, acoustic, and visual inspection abilities provide AI-powered predictive insights into facility health,” said Merry Frayne, senior director of product at Boston Dynamics. “Integrating the Blackline Safety portable device gives process manufacturers an even more complete picture of their site while keeping people out of harm's way."

The MFE Spot Connected Gas Detection Solution with Blackline Safety is supported by MFE. by assisting clients in figuring out how robotic gas detection fits into their current safety and inspection procedures. In order for the system to be used successfully in actual field settings, the team collaborates with operators to assess site requirements, set up the proper gas detection setup, train staff, assist implementation and stay involved after deployment.