Key technologies and the feasibility for the application of refueling robots

As the intelligent and information technology advancing rapidly, enterprises selling refined oil product become active in exploring the intelligent refueling robot technology, in attempt to solve the problems of recruitment difficulty, high labor costs, high working intensity and inadequate customer experience. The research systematically reviewed the development of refueling robots at home and abroad,discussed in detail the key technologies such as the refueling robot arm technology and its control system, end actuator, visual identification system, explosion-proof and intelligent interaction. The research made a statistical analysis by observing 2 000 times of refueling actions conducted by 40 refueling staff of varying proficiency and from different types of petrol stations. Then the research compared systematically the factors of efficiency and economy between the two service modes of manual filling and robot filling by taking into consideration the difference of petrol stations in different regions. The analysis results provide references for determining the research and development objectives and measuring commercialization conditions of the refueling robot. On this basis, the research proposed the objective of the application of refueling robots and development goals and the directions for improvements.