The steel industry is a cornerstone of the national economy. However, its harsh operating environment – characterized by high temperatures, heavy dust, strong magnetic fields, loud noise, and toxic gases (such as carbon monoxide) – creates constant safety risks. The 2025 Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) Specification Requirements for the Steel Industry designates "intelligentization" as a core indicator for leading enterprises, explicitly requiring robots to replace dangerous, strenuous, and dirty, demanding, and hazardous (3D) positions. This policy clearly charts the course for a safe and efficient transformation of the steel industry. Against this backdrop, intelligent inspection robots are presented with tremendous opportunities.

Safety Risks Remain Persistently High: The steel industry's production environment is extremely harsh: high temperatures, heavy dust, strong magnetic fields, and intense noise. Particularly in gas holder areas, the risk of toxic and hazardous gas leaks (like carbon monoxide) is a constant threat. Manual inspections mean workers must directly enter these danger zones. Even with protective measures, accidents cannot be fully prevented.

Efficiency & Quality Are Limited: Manual inspections are severely constrained by human physiological limits in high heat (e.g., ≤30 minutes per shift in 70°C environments). Take inspecting 30 tuyeres on a 2500m³ blast furnace as an example – a full check takes about 30 minutes. While key positions (e.g., team leaders) require checks every 30-60 minutes, staffing and rotation challenges often push actual inspection frequencies in some areas to only ~2 hours. This gap significantly increases the risk of missed defects.

Data Value Lies Dormant: Manual data recording is fragmented and delayed, relying heavily on subjective experience. Crucially, it lacks the scientific data foundation needed for optimal decision-making and predictive insights.

To tackle these critical challenges, Coolai Optoelectronics has launched a range of explosion-proof inspection robots in multiple forms (quadruped, wheeled, rail-mounted). Powered by innovative technology, they deliver all-encompassing safety monitoring solutions:

Advanced Capabilities Integrated:
Combines infrared temperature measurement, toxic/flammable gas detection, spontaneous combustion warning (e.g., coal piles), and smart meter reading in a single platform. Meets critical needs for monitoring pipe leaks and spills, gas hazards, and 24/7 continuous inspection.

Comprehensive Environmental Awareness:
Equipped with infrared thermal imagers, visible-light cameras, and high-precision gas sensors. Features dual visual and olfactory sensing to accurately identify hazards and trigger instant alerts for abnormalities.

Unflinching in Extreme Conditions:
Certified to Explosion-Proof Standard Ex IIB T4 Gb. Operates reliably amidst intense heat, high humidity, heavy dust, strong magnetic interference, and gas leakage risks.

Intelligent Navigation & Operation:
Utilizes 3D LiDAR and SLAM technology for millimeter-level positioning and autonomous obstacle avoidance in complex environments—no tracks or markers required.

AI-Powered Diagnostics:
Onboard algorithms + cloud-based big data analytics enable the leap from "data collection" to "intelligent diagnostics". Detects risks faster and more accurately than humans, providing early warnings to prevent incidents before they occur.

From replacing high-risk human tasks with unmanned operations and enabling 24/7 automated inspection with intelligent task dispatching for complete coverage; to uploading holographic sensor data to the cloud with real-time anomaly alerts to ensure safety; and finally, enabling data-driven decision-making and unified platform management – these core intelligent capabilities significantly enhance production efficiency, safety standards, and operational resilience. The robots not only liberate human workers but, more crucially, create immense strategic value at critical junctures, driving the steel industry toward a safer, more efficient, and smarter future.