Technology may replace roughnecks, deckhands, pipehandlers with robots

摘要

Robotic Drilling Systems is designing a series of robots to take over the repeatable tasks now done by deckhands, roughnecks, and pipehandlers on drilling rigs. Its blue, 10-ft-tall robot deckhand has a jointed arm that can extend about 10 ft, with 15 or so interchangeable hands of assorted sizes, according to Bloomberg. The robot is anchored in place to give it better leverage as it lifts drill bits that weigh more than a ton and maneuvers them into place.