Outokumpu, a leader in sustainable stainless steel, implemented AI and safety inspection robots a year ago to enhance health and safety monitoring at its facilities. The partnership with Swiss robotics company ANYbotics, signed in early 2023, saw the deployment of the first ANYmal robots at Outokumpu’s sites in Germany and Sweden. After successful piloting, robotics usage expands to Finland, with the first robot operational at the company’s ferrochrome plant in Tornio.
This initiative aligns with Outokumpu’s goal of achieving the lowest accident frequency rate in the industry by 2025.
Outokumpu currently operates three robots, Rosie in Germany, Angie in Sweden, and Jokkeri in Finland, handling various tasks daily. In Avesta, the robot optimizes inspection processes, reducing employees’ exposure to acid areas with extensive daily inspection points. In Krefeld, similar tasks are underway, with plans to inspect furnace and insulation areas. ANYmal robots utilize SLAM method with Lidar sensors for obstacle detection and predefined route navigation, proving resilient to heat, dust, and chemicals.
Outokumpu’s Ferrochrome plant in Tornio, with approximately 230 employees, houses three submerged arc furnaces (SAF) and has a total annual ferrochrome production capacity of 530 kilo tons. Safety is paramount at the plant, given its exposure to process industry hazards and hazardous chemical compounds.
Looking ahead, Outokumpu plans to integrate drones, driverless transport systems, and collaborative robots (Cobots) to enhance safety and productivity. The company envisions intelligent plants where human-machine collaboration optimizes operations.
