LS Electric deploys robotic dogs to drive smart factory automation in Busan

Korean power equipment and industrial automation specialist LS Electric has successfully deployed two Boston Dynamics Spot robots at its Busan factory for smart factory automation. These four-legged robots monitor production equipment and support quality and safety management within the company's broader smart factory initiative.

LS Electric collaborated with Hyundai Autoever, a systems integration affiliate of Hyundai Motor Group, on a two-month trial period that commenced in July before officially integrating the robots into the production process.

The Busan plant serves as LS Electric's primary manufacturing hub for ultrahigh-voltage transformers, a sector experiencing increasing global demand due to the rapid growth of AI data centers and power grids. By implementing Spot, LS Electric aims to establish a predictive maintenance system capable of identifying potential equipment issues before they lead to production disruptions.

The robots achieve this by utilizing onboard thermal cameras to examine vapor phase drying processes, a critical component of transformer manufacturing.

During the drying phase, components are subjected to vacuum chambers where LS Electric's Spot robots employ their thermal cameras to inspect door seals and detect heat leaks without any physical contact. This non-invasive monitoring technique allows for continuous surveillance, ensuring optimal performance and safety throughout the manufacturing process.