Semi-autonomous monitoring system

A mobile monitoring device, comprising:

• a transceiver communicatively coupled to a control unit for receiving a monitoring task from the control unit and for transmitting monitoring information to the control unit;
• a processor coupled to the transceiver and a plurality of systems, the processor being configured to determine an ability of the mobile monitoring device to perform the monitoring task based on a power level of the mobile monitoring device and a distance between a position of the mobile monitoring device and a task area corresponding to the monitoring task in a monitoring area, wherein the monitoring area is an oilfield and the task area relates to oilfield equipment;
• and
• memory communicatively coupled to the processor for storing a set of instructions and map information, the map information corresponding to a monitoring area, the task area, a home base, or a transport region between the monitoring area and the home base, the set of instructions being executable by the processor for causing the mobile monitoring device to autonomously avoid obstacles when the mobile monitoring device navigates in the transport region or monitoring area.

A method, comprising:

• receiving, from a control unit, a monitoring task to perform in a monitoring area by a mobile monitoring device, wherein the monitoring area is an oilfield;
• receiving a position of the mobile monitoring device;
• determining a power level of the mobile monitoring device;
• determining an ability to perform the monitoring task based on the position and the power level;
• calculating a path from the position to a task area associated with the monitoring task and within the monitoring area, wherein the task area relates to oilfield equipment;
• navigating the path to the task area;
• generating monitoring information;
• and
• transmitting the monitoring information to the control unit.