WeldBot is a semi-autonomous robotic welding system developed by Northern Arizona University (NAU) in partnership with SUNDT Construction to address the hazards, labor demands, and costs associated with welding interior seams of underground steel pipelines. Designed specifically for SUNDT’s Gilbert North Water Treatment Plant expansion—requiring 1.6 miles of pipeline welding and 290 interior welds valued at $280,000—WeldBot improves worker safety, enhances efficiency, and optimizes project costs. It eliminates the need for human entry into confined, hazardous environments by autonomously navigating inside pipelines, locating seams using 3D laser scanning and vision sensors, and performing high-precision welding. WeldBot supports pipeline diameters between 4 and 6 feet and features modular construction, continuous welding capability, and real-time monitoring to ensure consistent, high-quality welds with minimal human intervention, setting a new standard for safe and efficient industrial pipeline construction.
