ANYbotics Unveils Legged Inspection Robot for Explosive Atmospheres

The oil and gas sector faces massive financial and human risks. A single hour of unplanned downtime can cost up to $500,000. Extraction workers in the United States face fatality rates seven times the national average. Undetected equipment failures cost the world's 500 largest companies roughly $1.4 trillion each year. ANYbotics AG has launched ANYmal X to address these challenges. It is the world's first legged inspection robot for explosive atmospheres.

ANYmal X Solution Introduction

ANYbotics launched ANYmal X on October 27, 2026. The dog-like robot is engineered for hazardous explosive atmospheres where a spark could trigger an explosion. It is designed to meet strict safety standards in oil, gas, and chemicals. The robot uses an advanced industrial AI stack for autonomous inspections. Legged robots have historically been banned from such refineries and hazardous zones.

Technical Validation and Compliance

Certifying a robot for these zones is one of the hardest parts of the design process. ANYmal X complies with the ATEX standard in Europe and IECEx globally. Bureau Veritas issued an ATEX EU-type examination certificate for Zones 1 and 2, Gas Group IIB, temperature class T4, and Category 2G. The robot is not intended for Zone 0, explosive dust atmospheres, or IIC gases like hydrogen. Its AI computer and inspection equipment are enclosed in nitrogen-filled, sealed chambers. All 12 leg actuators and the battery are protected by flameproof casings. The nitrogen supply must be at least 99.9 percent pure.

Proven Industrial Adoption

Major energy and chemical companies have validated the technology through extensive testing. Since 2023, leaders including BP, Equinor, Shell, PETRONAS, Petrobras, BASF, and SLB have tested ANYmal X through an Early Access Program. Testing occurred across hundreds of onshore and offshore facilities. Many experts thought a legged robot could never be made safe for explosive atmospheres. Péter Fankhauser, co-founder and CEO of ANYbotics, stated that "four years of pioneering engineering with more than 10 patents went into ANYmal X." The platform is now shipping to several industry leaders, including Equinor ASA and DSM-Firmenich AG.

Operational Capabilities

ANYmal X handles complex industrial environments without facility modifications. It can climb 45-degree stairs and traverse narrow walkways. The robot provides continuous, repeatable data that enhances digital twins. Its integrated sensors detect overheating, leaks, abnormal noise, and equipment wear.

It runs on the Shift platform, which schedules missions and organizes findings. Shift connects with plant systems like SAP, Yokogawa, and SLB. The entire system is developed under ISO 27001 information security standards. More than 50 power, metals, and materials customers use ANYbotics systems to run over 120,000 autonomous inspections monthly. The global oil, gas, and chemical inspection robotics sector is valued at $102 billion. ANYmal X and its full industrial AI stack will be shown publicly for the first time at ADIPEC 2026 by ANYbotics, SLB, and Kuwait Oil Co.