Korea Zinc announced on the 5th that it has introduced the four-legged robot "Spot" from the robotics manufacturer Boston Dynamics to enhance on-site safety and management efficiency at its Onsan smelter. According to Korea Zinc, the Onsan smelter is the first in the world to adopt Spot.
Spot is a state-of-the-art industrial robot that replaces human presence in hazardous and difficult-to-access sites, utilizing various sensors to collect real-time information. Currently, the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Brown University, BMW, Michelin, the world's largest grain trading company, and the largest power plant in Austria, Simmering Power Plant, have adopted Spot.
Korea Zinc assigns Spot the role of on-site management. Spot patrols 466 inspection points and hard-to-reach blind spots within the Onsan smelter using various high-performance sensors, including ultrasonic sensors, infrared cameras, hazardous gas detectors, and acoustic sensors. Spot performs tasks such as ▲ measuring equipment temperature and detecting gas leaks and spills ▲ collision prevention in areas with frequent vehicle movement ▲ real-time information sharing and alarm functions.
Korea Zinc plans to expand Spot's role in checking areas for gas poisoning and asphyxiation risks by the end of this year while examining the effects of Spot's introduction. Additionally, considering the characteristics of the smelter, which experiences frequent process changes, they are also reviewing the installation of a 360-degree rotating camera on Spot to visually track and manage changes in equipment structure or piping environments.
A representative from Korea Zinc said, "As a result of comparing various company robots, we decided to implement Boston Dynamics' Spot because it has all the necessary functions for managing the Onsan smelter, such as temperature, noise, and vibration measurement," adding, "Currently, it is autonomously navigating while learning routes in processes like refining, and if its stable movement is confirmed, it may be expanded to other factories."