ADNOC announced on May 21 the deployment of Taurob’s heavy-duty inspector robot at its Taweelah Gas Compression Plant, where it will perform routine inspections in hazardous environments to improve safety and reduce risk to personnel.
The use of robotics and artificial intelligence is seen as a key step toward smarter energy production across the United Arab Emirates. The Taurob robot acts as the first set of ‘eyes’ on site, enabling engineers to detect gas leaks, hotspots, and other hazards. Equipped with advanced sensors such as 3D LiDAR technology and thermal cameras offering 360-degree visibility, the robot is designed for extreme industrial conditions.
ADNOC also reported plans to expand its robotics program by co-developing an industry-first heavy-duty ‘operator’ robot. This new machine will be able not only to observe but also lift equipment and operate controls like valves and gauges in high-risk areas. Developed under the ARGOS Joint Industry Project with partners including Equinor, Net Zero Technology Centro, Petrobras, TotalEnergies, Saft, and Taurob, this operator robot can function in temperatures from –20°C to 60°C. It can be operated remotely or autonomously and is expected to be operational by the end of 2026.
Dena Almansoori, ADNOC’s Group Chief Technology and Innovation Officer said: “Artificial and Physical Intelligence are core to ADNOC’s long term energy strategy, transforming how we operate across the value chain. At Taweelah, autonomous advanced robots are already deployed in live operations as we continue to develop the next generation of industrial robotics. This is innovation with purpose, enhancing safety, reducing emissions, improving performance and supporting the UAE’s AI Strategy 2031 and Robotics & Automation agenda.”
Matthias Biegl, Managing Director at Taurob GmbH said: “We greatly valued ADNOC’s contribution to the ARGOS Joint Industry Project. Their extensive experience operating in challenging environments including the extreme heat of the Middle East brought an essential regional dimension to the initiative. ADNOC’s and the UAE’s strong focus on digital transformation and robotics enabled us to apply advanced technologies in ways that enhance safety and efficiency while supporting our shared ambition to reduce emissions through expanded use of robotics.”
According to ADNOC’s statement, tools such as HSE Cockpit.ai have reduced safety incidents by 30 percent by providing real-time visibility for incident prevention while robots carry out hazardous inspections across various environments.
