Crawl Spaces - How to Choose an Inspection Robot
Robotic building Inspection has become increasingly more popular in recent years.
As Inspection Robots evolve and building inspectors age or tire of the difficult and dangerous task of crawling into crawl spaces, they are often turning to Robotic Home Inspection. If you are a homeowner, engineer or inspector, how do you know what to look for in an Inspection Robot? This article will help you understand what to consider and what questions to ask before you buy a Robotic Platform to inspect limited access areas.
Material/Quality. What is the robot made of? Is it made of plastic or metal? This speaks to the durability of the inspection platform. If you are going to use this tool day after day, you should consider purchasing a robot made of metal which can withstand the daily use and abuse.
Ease of Use. Here are some questions to consider: How difficult is it to learn how to use this new piece of tech?
Are the controls intuitive and easy to master? Is there training involved? What is the experience I can expect? How long does it take to setup? Is it “ready to crawl” out of the box? How heavy is it?
Cost/Maintenance. While upfront costs are certainly a deciding factor, you should also consider any long-term costs. For example, what kind of maintenance is involved? Is it something I can perform myself or do I need to return it to the factory? Are there additional expenses such as consumables?
Lighting/Visibility. What type of lights are onboard the crawler-if any? Will I be able to see in dark, restricted access areas like attics or crawl spaces? How do I see what the robot sees? Is the video a Live-Feed or is there a delay? How is the image displayed - on my tiny phone screen or on a large display?
Maneuverability. Is it easy to steer and navigate? Does the robot have tracks or wheels. What’s the difference? How does it deal with rough terrain or other hazards in the environment? Can the robot traverse inclines or obstacles such as drainpipes or discarded objects?
Cameras/Recording. What type of camera is included with the inspection Robot? Does the camera record the inspection? Is the camera fixed or can it pan and tilt? Can I use my own camera? What is the resolution of the camera? Can it record stills for my reports? Does the camera use a SD card and if so, is it included?
Upgrades. Can I increase the capabilities of the Crawl Space Robot? What, if any, upgrades are available for the Home Inspection Robot?
Can I change out the wheels for larger or smaller off-road tires? Can I make it waterproof or dustproof? Can I add larger batteries? Spare batteries? Can I get a faster battery charger? How far can it travel? How can I increase the range?
Payload. How much extra gear can I add to the robotic platform? Can I add a sensor or additional lights? Do you offer a platform which can support larger payloads? Can I add a gas detector?
Warranty. Is there a warranty or guarantee on the product? What if it doesn’t work or breaks- Can I get spare parts? How can I get support? Can I return it for a full refund?