Robotics

Pike Robotics was spun out of UT's Nuclear and Applied Robotics Group and originally funded by Phillips 66 to help with the real need they have for maintaining their product storage and refining facilities. Improving the outdated inspection method for above-ground storage tanks was and continues to be the focus of the project. Failed seals inside storage tanks holding oil and oil-refined products lead to excessive VOC emissions and up to 5% of product lost to evaporation. Regular inspections are required by the EPA to ensure proper functionality.

Ground Control Robotics (GCR) represents a new approach to physical AI in which physics meets engineering meets biology. Its flagship product, SCUTTLE (Slithering Centipede-like Undulatory Terradynamic Tactical Legged Explorer), is a multi-legged robot that confidently navigates cluttered and confined spaces to make labor safer and more efficient.