ADNOC has deployed Taurob’s heavy-duty inspector robot at its Taweelah Gas Compression Plant to carry out routine inspections in hazardous industrial areas without putting workers at risk.

The AI-powered robot is now operating on-site as the first line of inspection, helping ADNOC engineers detect potential gas leaks, unusual hotspots and other safety hazards. The robot is designed for extreme industrial environments and is equipped with advanced technologies including 3D LiDAR sensors and thermal cameras with 360-degree visibility.

According to ADNOC, the deployment is part of the company’s wider strategy to improve industrial safety, reduce operational risks and expand the use of AI and robotics across its energy operations.

ADNOC also announced plans to develop the energy industry’s first heavy-duty “operator” robot under the ARGOS Joint Industry Project. The project is being developed together with companies and organizations including Equinor, Petrobras, TotalEnergies, Saft, Taurob and the Net Zero Technology Centre.

Unlike the current inspector robot, the upcoming operator robot will not only inspect equipment but also physically handle industrial tasks. It will be capable of lifting heavy equipment, turning valves and operating gauges in dangerous areas where human intervention is risky.

The robot is being designed to work in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 60°C and can operate both autonomously and through remote control. ADNOC said the operator robot is expected to become operational by the end of 2026.

Dena Almansoori, ADNOC’s Group Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, said artificial and physical intelligence are becoming central to the company’s long-term energy strategy. She said advanced robotics at Taweelah are already supporting live operations by improving safety, reducing emissions and enhancing overall performance.

Taurob Managing Director Matthias Biegl praised ADNOC’s contribution to the ARGOS project, saying the company’s experience in extreme Middle East conditions helped improve the development of industrial robotics technologies focused on safety, efficiency and emissions reduction.

ADNOC added that its AI-based safety platform, HSE Cockpit.ai, has already reduced safety incidents by 30 percent by providing real-time monitoring and risk detection. The company is also using robots and drones for hazardous inspections, emissions monitoring and emergency response operations across land, sea and air.

These developments are part of ADNOC’s broader push to strengthen industrial safety and accelerate the use of AI and robotics across the energy sector.