Automated Robotics for Healthcare Plantroom Inspection
In April 2026, Equans UK & Ireland collaborated with Equans France Innovation and Equans Nederland to trial the use of robotics and AI for plantroom condition monitoring.Automated Robotics for Healthcare Plantroom Inspection
In April 2026, Equans UK & Ireland collaborated with Equans France Innovation and Equans Nederland to trial the use of robotics and AI for plantroom condition monitoring.
Key partnership facts
Key partnership facts
Challenge
Healthcare facilities rely heavily on complex plantroom environments that support critical infrastructure for clinical operations. Sudden failures or degradation in plantroom systems risk causing costly loss of productivity, statutory non-compliance, disruptions to clinical areas, and cancellation of essential medical procedures. Traditional inspection methods are labour-intensive and may not detect early signs of issues such as leaks, overheating, or missing safety equipment promptly. There was a clear need for an autonomous, cost-effective solution capable of continuous monitoring to pre-empt failures and improve operational resilience.
Project Overview
In April 2026, Equans UK & Ireland collaborated with Equans France Innovation and Equans Nederland to trial the use of robotics and AI for plantroom condition monitoring.
Working alongside Intuitive Robots, the certified Boston Dynamics partner in Europe, the trial focused on the quadruped robot “Spot” equipped with a suite of sensors and integrated with Boston Dynamics’ web-based platform “Orbit.”
The trial aimed to autonomously monitor and report on a wide range of parameters that signal steady-state operation or premature failure in a healthcare plantroom environment. Parameters included environmental conditions, equipment integrity, safety compliance, and early fault indicators, enabling proactive maintenance interventions.
Solution
The core solution was the Boston Dynamics quadruped robot “Spot,” which features:
- Dimensions: 70cm height x 110cm length, weight 32kg (14kg payload capacity)
- 360-degree sensor capture capability
- Autonomy lasting 90 minutes per charge, with a 60-minute recharge time
Equipped with multiple onboard sensors and an additional environmental sensor from Ellona, Spot was programmed by Intuitive Robots to follow an inspection circuit within the Hospital UMC Utrecht plantroom. Using the Orbit Robot Fleet Management Software platform, the robot could autonomously:
- Detect noise from air/gas leaks
- Identify heat signatures from leaking pipe joints beneath insulation
- Create heat maps of live electrical distribution boards
- Detect small fluid spills on floors
- Identify visible corrosion on pipework
- Monitor missing portable fire appliances and faulty emergency escape signage
- Measure environmental factors (temperature, light, humidity, gases)
- Detect particles from decaying rubber gaskets
- Digitise analogue gauge readings and apply threshold alarms (e.g. blocked strainers)
- Monitor buildup of rubbish or obstructions
The combination of sensor data and AI-driven Orbit software provided real-time, actionable insights and digitalised analogue measurements for early detection of maintenance issues.
Results and Benefits
The trial demonstrated the considerable potential of combining a quadruped robotic platform with AI analytics to enhance healthcare plantroom maintenance:
- Operational Efficiency: The robot effectively surveyed areas, performing multiple laps autonomously and continually monitoring changes such as rubbish buildup, missing safety equipment, and leaks without human intervention.
- Comprehensive Detection: Sensors successfully detected a diverse array of parameters crucial for plantroom safety and operational health.
- Robust Performance: The robot showed strong endurance with 90-minute operational autonomy and proved resilient in the challenging environment.
- Ease of Programming: The inspection circuit and parameters were rapidly configured by Intuitive Robots.
- Enhanced Safety & Compliance: Continuous monitoring of fire equipment, escape signage, and environmental gases helped support statutory compliance and safety protocols.
- Digital Transformation: Digitisation of analogue gauges and integration with Orbit software improved data accessibility and alarm capabilities.
- Proactive Maintenance: Early identification of issues facilitates timely interventions, reducing downtime and protecting clinical services.
The trial also highlighted next steps such as improving robot mobility between multiple plantrooms and further evaluation of cost considerations (both capital and operational expenditure).
Conclusion
Equans autonomous robotic inspection solution trial in healthcare plantrooms delivers significant benefits by continuously monitoring critical parameters. This proactive approach enhances safety and compliance, prevents costly downtime of clinical areas, and improves operational continuity. By autonomously performing inspections, the robot acts as an “extra shift,” reducing the strain on facilities management teams and boosting workforce efficiency.
Integrating AI-driven insights with digital monitoring aligns with broader digital transformation goals, driving smarter, more sustainable facility operations that support superior patient care and healthcare resilience.
Testimonials
“The robot dog detects issues in the installation such as leaks, hears noises, measures temperatures, and can even read gauges. By constantly comparing these data points, he can inform our shift teams early on when, for example, a pump is reaching the end of its lifespan or when pressure is slowly building up.
I learnt that it can also detect pipework leaks behind the insulation.
We essentially have an extra shift on board. Now we just need to see how it handles closed fire doors and closed distribution boards.
It was an interesting session in the UMC. I learnt a lot of the possibilities of a robot.”
- UMC, UTRECHT
Our expertise
Equans supports businesses, communities and the public sector by mobilising its expertise to provide low-carbon energy solutions, offer cutting-edge technical and FM services and transformative regeneration across the UK & Ireland.
