Geothermal energy is a very widespread source of energy on the planet and is available 24/7, whatever the weather conditions, unlike other renewable energies such as wind and solar. And yet she is still little exploited due to installation costs high levels of geothermal power plants and individual heat pumps. To make geothermal energy accessible to everyone, the Swiss start-up Borobotics has developed an autonomous drilling machine, called Grabowski, in honor of the mole made famous by the writer Luis Murschetz. This digging robot works like an earthworm and can be used in tight spaces, such as backyards or basements.
A compact and autonomous digging robot
Grabowski is a compact drilling machine, as it weighs less than 150 kg and measures 13.5 cm wide and 2.8 m long. The Swiss start-up indicates that it is the first fully automated geothermal driller. According to her, a small team can install the system in half a day, after which it operates autonomously. This allows companies to manage up to 13 drilling sites simultaneously, maximizing operational efficiency. Grabowski descends on its own, drills straight without any lag, and automatically detects the different layers of the subsoil, including water tables. Its advanced sensors allow it to identify the type of material it is drilling, and if it finds a water or gas source, it automatically seals the well. But this “robotic worm” is also designed to be silent. With less than 60 dbA, it is barely audible once in the ground.
A drilling machine suitable for all types of terrain
This digging robot is designed to adapt to any type of terrain, from sand to granite. Borobotics claims it can drill, efficiently and quietly, just about anywhere. Pill Moritzco-founder of the start-up, explains that with this robotic worm, “ drilling will become possible in properties where it would be unthinkable today: small gardens, parking lots and basements “. This can break any type of rock thanks to the unique design of its gearbox, combined with two motors for rotation and hammering. In soft ground, it automatically extrudes a tube to maintain the stability of the wellbore, preventing collapse during operation. Furthermore, the “fluid muscle” system allows it to move up and down in the well, but also to quickly seal it in an emergency. According to Borobotics, this autonomous drilling rig integrates a series of advanced technologieswhich make it a revolutionary solution for geothermal drilling.
An environmentally friendly and sustainable drill
Grabowski only requires 6-8 m² to operate and can reach depths of up to 500 m. Although its capacity is limited to a maximum depth of 500m, Borobotics says this is sufficient for residential and commercial applications in Europe. Average temperatures at 250 m are 14°C, ideal for heating in winter and cooling in summer. Additionally, this digging robot is environmentally friendly, as it does not use fuel such as diesel, but plugs into a standard electrical outlet.
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Its CO₂ emissions are only 288 kg per well, or 86% less than those of existing drills. The Swiss start-up plans to test its prototype in real conditions this year. More information: borobotics.ch. A robot that could revolutionize the field of drilling, do you use geothermal energy? How was your drilling carried out? I invite you to give us your opinion, your comments or point out an error in the text, click here to post a comment.
