Fully autonomous drilling robot drills efficiently and cost-effectively
The compact autonomous Grabowski drilling robot is designed to work more efficiently and cheaper than previous systems and promote geothermal energy expansion.
The autonomous Grabowski drilling robot can autonomously eat its way through almost all types of rock.
(Image: Borobotics)
The Swiss start-up Borobotics, a spin-off from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), has developed what it claims is the world's only fully autonomous geothermal drill. The drill is fully electric and is designed to work more efficiently and cost-effectively than conventional models. Investors have now pumped 1.3 million Swiss francs (around 1.38 million euros) into the young company.
Autonomous drilling system
The “strongest mole in the world”, as Borobotics calls its Borhhrobot, is around 2.5 meters long. The diameter is 13.5 cm. The weight is 150 kg. With these compact dimensions, Grabowski can be used almost anywhere, such as in basements or gardens. Installation by a single employee is comparatively simple and only requires an area of 6 to 8 m². The drill then eats its way into the ground autonomously. Its movements are tracked and can be corrected. This means that several holes can be drilled close together.
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With its drilling head, the robot digs through different substrates, ranging from clayey soil to granite rock. The maximum drilling depth is 250 meters. This is sufficient to be able to use near-surface geothermal energy.
The robot uses its sensors in the drill head to independently detect the type of subsurface. If the surrounding material is too soft, Grabowski can 3D print a pipe to stabilize the borehole. This should enable stable drill holes. If it comes across water or gas during drilling, for example, the robot recognizes this and can seal the borehole independently to prevent any nasty surprises.
Advantages over conventional drilling systems
The Grabowski drilling robot has several advantages over conventional, much larger drilling rigs. It is compact, comparatively light, and easy to install. Thanks to its autonomous operation, drilling can be carried out quickly and efficiently. The electrically powered drilling robot can be used almost anywhere where there is a standard household power socket. Its carbon footprint is correspondingly good compared to diesel-powered drilling systems. It is around 288 kg per borehole, which is around 86 percent less than conventional diesel drills.
Borobotics sees the use of its drilling robot primarily in the installation of geothermal heat pumps. The robot is intended to help reduce costs.
(olb)
