MAB Robotics has introduced a unique addition to the world of robotic technology: a quadrupedal robot dog called the Honey Badger, designed for underwater use. This resilient, legged machine isn’t just for the surface; it’s built to walk across pool floors and underwater terrains, making it ideal for challenging inspection and maintenance tasks in submerged environments.
The bot, created by Polish-based MAB Robotics, stands at just 19 inches tall and 23 inches long. It was engineered specifically for environments where other mobile robots might struggle, including flooded industrial areas and underground tunnels.
Outfitted with a thermal camera, gas sensor, and LIDAR, the Honey Badger is capable of inspecting hazardous spaces and gathering data in depths of up to 330 feet. In a recent video posted by MAB Robotics CTO and cofounder Jakub Bartoszek, the Honey Badger demonstrates its underwater abilities, navigating the tiled floor of a pool with a hauntingly robotic gait.
“The hardest part to seal was the robot’s actuators, where it was crucial to make them both lightweight and robust,” Bartoszek explained, noting that several prototypes were tested to refine the design’s underwater performance.
Already deployed for tasks like water and sewage system inspections, Honey Badger has proven effective in real-world settings, according to Bartoszek. He also shared that while MAB Robotics has mastered the robot’s core functionality, they continue working to enhance its reliability for broader industrial applications. As the Honey Badger inches toward commercialization, it may soon become a staple tool in underwater inspections and maintenance across industries.
