JLR deploys a robotic dog that can listen for gas leaks and inspect plant machinery

Similar robots could be used at the Solihull factory, where the Range Rover Electric is assembled

from Brad Anderson

October 3, 2024 at 4:30 p.m

JLR deploys a robotic dog that can listen for gas leaks and inspect plant machinery

Rover can operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and detect operational problems at the factory.
The carmaker says the robot gives its engineers more time to make repairs.
Additional robot dogs could be deployed across JLR's business, including at its Solihull factory.

An intelligent robot from Boston Dynamics has been deployed by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) at its Coventry factory. Although it is not used to produce vehicles, it can detect potential operational problems and wear and tear on equipment.

Affectionately known as Rover, the robot can work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and only needs to take breaks to charge its 50V battery. It has been configured to follow several preset routes through the EV test facility, conducting up to 24 patrols each day and night. Thanks to Rover's array of sensors and AI, it can open doors, climb stairs, and navigate high-traffic areas, all while continuously taking measurements and checking valves and machinery.

Read: BMW is using one of these creepy robot dogs to sniff out problems at its factory

Jaguar Land Rover says the use of the robot eliminates the risk of human error when carrying out these inspections. Additionally, engineers gain time to analyze rover results to make business and maintenance forecasts or carry out repairs. Boston Dynamics' creation can even hear gas leaks that are undetectable to humans and uses thermal sensors to quickly evaluate battery temperatures.

The British carmaker says it is exploring the possibility of deploying such a fleet of robots across its business, including at the company's Solihull plant, where the Range Rover Electric will be built. This facility will also be home to the long-awaited next-generation electric vehicle fleet that will be released in the coming years.

Funnily enough, Boston Dynamics is owned by another major automaker, Hyundai Motor Group.

“Key to JLR’s Reimagine strategy is continuous collaboration with the brightest minds in the industry to develop advanced robotics solutions that work in harmony with our people for the uncompromising benefit of our customers,” said Gonzalo Ejarque-Rinaldini, Ph.D. for automation and robotics at JLR. “To enable our engineers to work safer and smarter, collaborations like this with Boston Dynamics are critical. Not only are they critical to achieving our goal of electrifying our Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar brands by 2030, but they also play an important role in ensuring that the final vehicles that roll off the production line are just about The very best electric batteries have technology in them.”