Yokogawa links OpreX software with ANYmal inspection robots

Yokogawa and Swiss robotics firm ANYbotics have signed a partnership agreement linking Yokogawa's OpreX Robot Management Core software with ANYbotics' ANYmal robotic inspection range, including the explosion-proof ANYmal X.

The integration brings ANYmal robots into Yokogawa's robot management product line and extends OpreX Robot Management Core to manage both explosion-proof and non-explosion-proof mobile inspection robots under a single layer.

The companies are targeting operators of large industrial sites where inspections take place around hazardous equipment and hard-to-access areas, with oil and gas, power, and metals as initial focus sectors.

Robot management

OpreX Robot Management Core is part of Yokogawa's industrial automation and plant software portfolio. It is designed to manage multiple robot types used for plant maintenance work that has traditionally relied on human rounds and manual checks.

The system can connect to plant control systems and use inspection data to send instructions to robots, which Yokogawa positions as an early step toward more autonomous plant operations.

The latest version supports ANYmal robots and integrates with ANYbotics' software stack. Commercial terms and a rollout timetable were not disclosed.

ANYmal range

ANYbotics sells the ANYmal line of autonomous, remotely operated four-legged robots for inspections. The robots carry sensors for condition monitoring and data collection in industrial environments.

The range includes ANYmal D, marketed for indoor and outdoor inspection tasks, with an IP67 rating for dust and water ingress protection.

ANYmal X is the explosion-proof model. ANYbotics says it is certified for use in ATEX and IECEx Zone 1 environments, has already been deployed as a prototype, and will formally launch later this year.

Market push

For Yokogawa, the partnership adds a legged inspection robot to a platform aimed at managing different robot types across a site. Yokogawa also points to its global network to support deployments across planning, operations, and maintenance.

The agreement also references Yokogawa's AI-based OpreX Plant Image Analyser, used for inspection-related analysis of plant imagery. The company plans to combine it with the robot management software and ANYbotics' robot technology.

ANYbotics frames the tie-up as part of its expansion among energy customers in parts of Asia and the Middle East, where hazardous-area operations are common in upstream, downstream, and processing facilities.

Operators in these sectors have increased their focus on remote operations and inspection automation in response to safety requirements, ageing assets, and constraints on skilled labour. Mobile robots are one approach for routine rounds, visual inspections, and data collection in areas that are difficult to instrument or access.

Dr Péter Fankhauser, Chief Executive Officer of ANYbotics, said the partnership supports the company's market expansion and aims to improve outcomes for operators.

"This collaboration marks an important milestone in our growth strategy, particularly as we expand further into the energy markets across Asia and the Middle East - regions with strong demand for innovative inspection solutions in hazardous areas. By integrating Yokogawa's OpreX Robot Management Core software with our ANYmal robots, we're delivering a fully integrated solution that allows industrial operators to improve safety, reduce downtime, and drive operational excellence," said Dr. Péter Fankhauser.

Masaharu Maeda, Vice President, Executive Officer, and Head of the Solutions Business Division at Yokogawa, highlighted plans for deployment support and for combining products within the OpreX portfolio.

"Through the integrated use of the OpreX Robot Management Core software with ANYbotics' hazardous environment-proof robot technology, we will take advantage of our extensive global network to provide comprehensive support covering all phases of our customers' robotics implementation, from planning to operation and maintenance. Furthermore, by combining it with our company's AI-based OpreX Plant Image Analyser, we will contribute to promoting the digitalization of inspection work," said Maeda.

ANYbotics says it has raised more than $150 million and operates offices in Zurich and San Francisco. Yokogawa says it employs more than 17,000 people across 128 companies in 62 countries, supplying measurement, control, and information systems to sectors including energy, chemicals, materials, pharmaceuticals, and food.

Both companies say further work will focus on integrating OpreX Robot Management Core with the ANYbotics software stack across the ANYmal lineup, including the explosion-proof ANYmal X.