Axel, the high-performance remote-controlled rover for inspecting critical environments in the construction sector.
AXEL – Autonomous Exploration Electrified – is a unique prototype worldwide: it can conduct explorations inside tunnels and galleries hazardous to workers’ health, completely replacing human presence and ensuring high-level performance in total safety.
What are the advantages?
Axel is a zero-emission, fully electric robot capable of moving in complex spaces with slopes, obstacles, and water crossings. Axel is the safest and most efficient solution for preparing restoration interventions in hazardous work environments, such as washing and air exchange, wall consolidation, and the installation of electrical and aerial transport systems.
In just 4 months, the CIM4.0 National Competence Center, together with its industrial partners, developed an innovative solution to explore the last stretch of the Maddalena tunnel in Chiomonte (Turin) and perform preliminary checks in total safety.
How was it possible in such a short development time?
CIM4.0 technicians worked with the Webuild team to clearly identify the prototype’s requirements and needs, supported by the Competence Center’s ecosystem expertise in technology transfer. Specifically, Merlo for electric work vehicles; Iren with its laser navigation and long-distance exploration techniques experience; Reply for the application of digital technologies and sensors; Thales Alenia Space for preparing explorations in extreme work environments.
Additionally, the development of digital twins and the rapid prototyping capabilities provided by CIM4.0’s additive manufacturing technology were crucial, as was the remote collaboration between laboratories and workshops and the availability of a representative test track.
✓ The result is a unique vehicle, suitable for working in very challenging conditions:
- Remote driving without repeaters up to 2 km away: vehicle controlled via radio by an operator in a safe station (base station)
- Zero emissions: fully electric vehicle powered by battery
- Autonomy of over 10 km: 23 kWh of battery energy
- Safety: no lithium batteries, suitable for high-temperature environments (no fire risk), low voltage due to abundant water presence (no electrocution risk)
- Ability to overcome large obstacles: depressions and slopes (over 60%), 20 cm sleepers, fords up to 30 cm deep.
- Environmental monitoring: certified system for collecting environmental data (context images, temperature, humidity, presence of hazardous gases, …)
- Dynamic data collection: the system can analyze data in real-time and transmit it to the base station.
- Resistance to critical environmental conditions: temperatures up to 45°C and 80% relative humidity, water droplets, fords, etc.
- Reliability: communication based on automotive-type CAN protocol, with control and power units partly derived from a superior series vehicle
