The HELIX family of amphibious robots is named for its unique mobility. Helical, screw-shaped pontoons allow HELIX to float on water or scroll across any terrain, including mud, snow, ice, and rocks.
HELIX was originally built for mining operations in Northern Canada, some of the harshest conditions in the world. We needed a robot that could carry heavy payloads across tailings ponds, in conditions that can be wet, muddy, snowy, and often sticky (sometimes all on the same day).
No technology Current technology cannot could handle all of the required situations & applications: boats could not handle shallow water or debris, aerial vehicles couldn’t carry the required payloads, and tracked or wheeled robots sank in the mud and got stuck.
Inspired by designs of the past, we have modernized the screw-drive concept and developed HELIX, a patented combination of screw-propulsion and four-wheel drive capable of remote and autonomous operations for site investigations..
Benefits of using HELIX
Inspired by designs of the past, we have modernized the screw-drive concept and developed HELIX, a patented combination of screw-propulsion and four-wheel drive capable of remote and autonomous operations.
Goes anywhere
HELIX amphibious robots can successfully traverse hard ground, mud, tailings, snow, ice, and water. With 4-screw, skid-steer capabilities, HELIX can manoeuver specialized payloads into the most inaccessible of terrains.
Ability for heavy payloads
HELIX is designed to float on water or saturated soils and muds. Its large deck platform and high buoyancy allow heavy work such as water and mud sampling or geotechnical measurements, and add-on tanks allow for high push and pull forces.
Health and safety
Workers remain in safe environments while robots do the dangerous work. This is not only good practice, but a significant cost savings as well. HELIX can even be used to tow a stranded boat and/or be modified to act as a rescue vehicle.
Cost savings
Robots require fewer labour and equipment hours and are less expensive than conventional equipment, allowing more timely information to be gathered at lower cost. Robots can be used with fewer safety planning hours and be operational more quickly.
Green solution
Our electrically-operated robots have no emissions and can be made intrinsically safe to help industrial operations become more sustainable.
Remote Operations
HELIX Dash software enables the coordination of both autonomous and remote operational capabilities without placing humans at risk. Giving the user ultimate control over the rover.
HELIX Dash
HELIX Dash is a modular application comprised of various plugins used to monitor, control, and visualize various aspects of the rover and its payloads. Dash plugin layouts can be customized by docking them in any configuration over multiple screens; these layouts can be saved and later restored. Dash ships with plugins specific to each HELIX configuration with features including but not limited to autopilot control, driving via Dash, rover monitoring and payload control. Dash also records all rover data for offline analysis.
Patented Amphibious Scroll Drive
The propulsion system of the HELIX has four individually driven scrolls, which act either as screw propellers or as wheels, depending on the situation. The scrolls of the HELIX are high-strength aluminum for durability and low weight, allowing good maneuverability in both screw propulsion and rolling, without compromising the payload that the HELIX can carry. The geometry of the scrolls is tuned to deliver optimal hydrodynamic performance. Other materials can be used for extreme environments, or for operations with less strenuous requirements.
Telemetry
The HELIX operates in either remote control or autonomous mode. In either case, there is ongoing communication between the rover and the operator who monitors the rover. In remote control mode, there is a separate radio controller as well as a digital radio link for telemetry. Rover performance and health monitoring is also archived on board the machine. Time stamps ensure that sensor and geographic information are accurately recorded (data collected). This approach to data acquisition enables data analytics and real-time feedback, which allows users to adjust as conditions change, decreasing costs while ensuring reliability.
Waypoint Navigation
Copperstone has extensive experience with autopilot autonomous operations. The desired path is described with a set of points, which the rover drives through while navigating along the path, and blending the motion to avoid overshooting. The distance between points can be user selected, and future features will allow for automatic path planning in a region defined simply by an operator on a map.
Waypoints can be manually entered by taking coordinates from a map or other reference. Also, waypoints may be entered by marking a point at the current position of the device, or on the map of the device.
A waypoint is a point of reference that can be used for location and navigation. Waypoints can be the specific latitude and longitude of a location, a well-known building or natural feature.
Electric drive
The HELIX uses permanent-magnet DC electric drive motors, which give a wide range of performance for both high torque and speed. Two configurations are available: internal hub motors which simplify field maintenance of scrolls, and external drive motors and final drive for higher performance configurations. An optional 2-speed transmission on some models allows an even higher performance range.
Customizable payloads
The payload bay of the HELIX allows for sensors and samplers to be mounted directly onto the rover, either in the middle of the rover or on the ends. Power and communication to an on board computer are available.
HELIX is a specialized delivery platform that can bring a variety of sensors and sampling tools to hazardous areas. HELIX amphibious robots can be ordered or customized in a variety of sizes and dimensions to maximize its utility for you. Custom sizes can vary from a small pipe crawler to heavy duty payload deployment or anything in between. HELIX is typically fabricated primarily with aluminum and can be customized in a variety of materials for chemical compatibility in extremely harsh environments. Stainless steel or titanium are options. HELIX scrolls can also be fabricated with low cost, high strength polymers and composites.
Our Robots
HELIX NEPTUNE
HELIX Neptune weighs in at 350 kg, with an additional 100 kg spare payload capacity for additional sensors and gear. HELIX Neptune typically travel at 1 m/s, but has additional thrusters to cruise on water at 2-3 m/s.
HELIX AR2
HELIX AR2 is a 700 kg robot capable of heavy hauling 300 kg of gear. Typically used in geotechnical surveys, HELIX AR2 can remotely deploy a CPT, Vane Shear or various sampling tools in mine tailings.