HZO Coatings Enable Mission-Critical Robotics

To ensure reliable performance in harsh environments, Sarcos Robotics collaborated with HZO, using advanced Parylene coatings to protect the Guardian S robots’ critical electronics from liquid exposure and potential short circuits.

Sarcos Robotics designs and deploys advanced, mobile robots that enhance human capabilities with mechanical precision. Among their innovations, the Sarcos Guardian® S remote visual inspection and surveillance robots are built for a range of industries and demanding applications, including mission-critical tasks in environments that can damage electronics. To ensure customers could rely on the robots in unpredictable conditions, Sarcos needed the Guardian S to operate consistently, no matter the challenge.

Journey

During development, Sarcos’ design team identified a risk of hardware failure due to potential short circuits. The Guardian S robots were expected to encounter liquid exposure exceeding two inches in challenging conditions, including oil, rain, standing water, cleaning solutions, and saltwater.

Mechanical seals were deemed unreliable for the required level of protection, and the team wanted a lighter, less bulky solution to maintain the robot’s slim profile. Weighing less than 17 pounds and designed to fit through 7-inch diameter openings, the Guardian S required a streamlined protection method. After a recommendation, Sarcos reached out to HZO to explore Parylene coatings.

Sarcos and HZO determined that HZO’s coating-as-a-service model was the most practical solution. The PCBAs were sent to an HZO center of excellence (CoE), where the team handled preparation, masking, coating, and demasking. Once the quality assurance process was complete, the components were returned to Sarcos for final assembly.

Results

Sarcos engineers provided detailed schematics highlighting design requirements, including masking points where coating should not be applied. HZO’s engineering team developed a tailored solution, effectively addressing complexity, process design, and production needs.

HZO Parylene coatings offer:

• Compatibility with various applications and IP ratings
• Proven durability with up to 1,000 hours of submersion testing
• Scalable solutions using advanced masking automation and optimized coating systems
• Flexible delivery through coating-as-a-service or factory-in-factory models

Conclusion

With the assurance that the Guardian S could operate reliably in two inches of water, Sarcos gained confidence that their customers could carry out critical missions without interruption—further solidifying the company’s reputation for dependable, advanced robotics.

Read the original article, or visit the HZO website for more information.