MEDIA ALERT: Australian robotics firm joins Thai cave rescue

Robots to the rescue

Nexxis, who provide robotics and remote technology to Australian industry, received the call asking them to ready their Versatrax 150 (VT150), a long distance, remote visual inspection robot.

Based in Yangebup, around 25 minutes south of Perth, Nexxis uses the equipment to detect and remove blockages in long distance pipelines, up to 300 kilometres long.

Nexxis Founding Director Jason De Silveira said: “Our team dropped everything when we received the call to assist the rescue of the 12 boys and their football coach from the caves.

“Nexxis has a VT150, one of the only machines in the region. It’s a state of the art crawler robot equipped with sonar and a high-definition camera.

“We provide solutions to clients in industries as diverse as mining, oil & gas, petrochemical, electric and nuclear. Nexxis has the best equipment, training and experience to work in this environment.

“Inuktun, the Canadian manufacturer of the VT150, contacted Nexxis and asked us to get ready to go.

“The situation in Thailand is very fluid and we have prepared the robot and team to fly to Thailand at a moment’s notice to help in the rescue effort.”

ENDS