Lindsey Elliott, founder of Nexterity, has developed a remote-controlled robot designed to automate the physically demanding and hazardous task of tightening and loosening bolts on pipe flanges. Drawing from her experience as an engineer and planner at ExxonMobil, Elliott focused on the bolted flange joints that connect sections of pipe, a process that is not only labor-intensive but also a leading cause of injuries among pipefitters. With the industry experiencing labor shortages and productivity challenges, her innovation aims to make pipefitting safer and more efficient.

The robot is engineered to clamp around pipes, powered by batteries, and capable of simultaneously handling four bolts. Its compact design allows it to fit into a Pelican case for easy transport by a single worker, enhancing its portability across different job sites. Nexterity has created various versions to accommodate common pipe sizes ranging from two to eight inches in diameter, targeting the most frequently encountered dimensions in pipefitting work.

Elliott’s solution emerged from extensive discussions with industry experts, including attendees at the Bolting Symposium and members of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ Pressure Vessels & Piping Division. These conversations highlighted the repetitive nature of pipe sizes and bolting tasks, making automation a promising approach. By adopting this robot, companies in sectors like oil and gas, water treatment, food processing, mining, nuclear energy, and sustainable manufacturing could see significant productivity gains.

Nexterity plans to offer the robot as rental equipment to construction and maintenance firms, providing flexibility and cost-effectiveness. The startup’s participation in TechCrunch Disrupt’s Startup Battlefield 200 event underscores the potential impact of this technology in modernizing blue-collar trade work. By automating the toughest, most dangerous part of pipefitting, Nexterity hopes to redefine productivity and worker safety within the industry.