Energid Technologies Assists Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Development of Next-Generation Robot for Nuclear Power Plant Heat Exchanger Tube Inspection

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Energid Technologies Corporation has developed a next-generation robot prototype for heat exchanger inspection in nuclear power plants.  The robot was created for use in an inspection system by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), Ltd.

To support continual innovation of its technologies, MHI came to Energid, a leader in the creation of advanced robotic systems, for robotic vehicle design, prototype development, and software integration.

Advanced control and machine vision algorithms developed by Energid were used on the prototype robot. Energid's algorithms for locomoting and manipulating using machine vision represent the best of many robotics technologies—ensuring the new robot is accurate, fast, robust, and safe.

The Energid prototype is an important component of the full system under development at MHI. MHI is planning to apply all or part of the new technologies that Energid developed into their next generation of heat exchange generator robots.

Extensive movement verification tests have been performed using the prototype robot in Energid's lab in Burlington, Massachusetts. The prototype hardware and control algorithms passed these stringent tests, pointing the way forward in MHI's quest to radically improve robotic performance.

"This milestone, the successful completion of hardware-integration testing coming from our cooperation, represents substantial risk reduction," said Neil Tardella, Chief Operating Officer at Energid Technologies.  "We are all eager to move forward."

For additional information, contact Mary Salzman, (888) 547-4100 x 420, [email protected].

About Energid Technologies

Energid Technologies develops robotic systems and products for the energy, agriculture, transportation, defense, and medical industries.  Energid's Actin™ and Selectin™ products provide advanced technology in the form of extensible software toolkits.  Energid specializes in the sensing, control, and simulation of complex robotic systems.

About Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (TSE: 7011, 'MHI'), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world's leading heavy machinery manufacturers. MHI's diverse lineup of products and services encompasses shipbuilding, power plants, chemical plants, environmental equipment, steel structures, industrial and general machinery, aircraft, space rocketry and air-conditioning systems.

For more information, please visit the MHI website at www.mhi.co.jp.

© 2011 Energid Technologies Corporation. All rights reserved. Actin, Selectin, and the Energid logo are trademarks of Energid Technologies Corporation.  

SOURCE Energid Technologies Corporation