Abstract: In order to solve the safety and economic problems of the crude oil pipeline robot shell when working in a special environment, the finite element analysis method is used to analyze the strength and stiffness of the crude oil pipeline robot shell to avoid damage to the shell during operation. On this basis, the response surface optimization analysis is used to optimize the thickness of the shell. Under the premise of ensuring that the strength and rigidity of the shell meet the allowable requirements, a lightweight design is carried out to save materials and costs. At the same time, in order to improve the adaptability of the pipeline robot in different areas and extreme conditions, this paper further studies the effects of temperature and shell thickness on the strength and stiffness of the shell. Research and analysis have found that temperature has a greater impact on the maximum deformation and stress of the shell. And when the outer temperature of the shell is constant, the maximum deformation of the shell decreases with the increase of the thickness of the shell, and the maximum stress of the shell increases with the increase of the thickness, but the amount of change is small. When the thickness of the shell is constant, the maximum deformation of the shell increases with the increase of temperature, the maximum stress of the shell decreases first and then increases with the increase of temperature. Taking about 10 ℃ as the dividing point, it decreases with the increase of temperature below 10 ℃, and increases with the increase of temperature above 10 ℃. It provides a certain reference basis for practical engineering applications.