The robot that transforms industrial robotic inspection
As part of the NISTM 2025 event, Kimberley Hayes, president and founder of Valkim Technologies, shared her company's advancements in the field of robotic inspection. With a three-decade track record in business development, Hayes leads a company that is transforming the way industrial assets are inspected and fosters a community of women determined to change the rules of the game.
From the garage to the industrial field
During the pandemic, Hayes took the leap that would change her professional path. Tired of the slow corporate processes to validate technologies, she decided to found Valkim on a Friday at 3:30 in the afternoon, and by the following Monday, it was operational. Her mission was clear: not to sell tools, but to find real solutions to critical problems in industrial inspection.
An asset owner, Mauricio Calva (then at Chevron), asked him if he could develop a non-electric robot for hazardous area inspections, the answer was pragmatic: "I don't know, but I'm trying". With a Coca-Cola box, lawnmower wheels and two pneumatic drills, he built a working prototype in three days, the seed of the first ATEX IECEx Zone 0 ATEX-certified robotic inspection robot.
A simple robot for complex environments
Valkim's design follows the Japanese philosophy of "Poka-yoke", which seeks to avoid human error, the robot is modular, with color-coded quick connections, easy to operate even without previous experience. Thanks to a partnership with Versatile Technologies, it can perform ultrasonic, visual and gas detection inspections.
Its value lies not only in the technology, but in its direct utility. For years, the inspection of seals in industrial tanks was done manually: a person would enter confined spaces, remove the seal and use a rod to measure, a practice that has been in place since the 1980s and posed an unnecessary risk. Valkim's robot eliminates that exposure without sacrificing accuracy or efficiency.
The value of listening to the end user
One of the important factors in the successful development of this technology was the direct collaboration with asset owners.
"Without that clear vision of the real problem, you just create iterations of the same thing."
Kimberley Hayes.
The participation of those who live the problem in the field allowed the solution to be functional from the beginning, this model of co-creation with the industry has enabled Valkim to adapt its robot to the specific needs of each customer. Unlike other technologies imposed from the laboratory, this one is born from real use and is perfected in real conditions.
Thinking differently to transform the industry
"People don't need a three-quarter drill, they need a three-quarter hole."
Hayes quote.
To reinforce its results-oriented approach, its robot is not just another product on the market, it is a solution that responds to a latent need.
However, the road to mass adoption is not a simple one; companies demand new functions and expansions, but without the necessary investment, moving forward becomes complex. For this reason, Hayes insists that the industry's commitment must go beyond curiosity: it is time to implement, scale and evolve.
WITI: community and collaboration among women in the industry
Another highlight of the interview was the growth of WITI (Women in the Tanks Industry), a community driven by Hayes to connect, share knowledge and open spaces for more women in a historically male environment.
What started as an informal lunch between 15 women during an event registration is now a network with more than 150 members. Thanks to the support of NISTM, the initiative grew rapidly and now has a private LinkedIn group where needs, contacts and opportunities for collaboration are shared.
For more content about NISTM 2025, please visit our LinkedIn profile.
Source: Inspenet.