Russian Utility Deploys Robot for Pipeline Diagnostics
A new robotic system enables detailed inspection of pipelines without excavation, improving efficiency and reducing costs for utility operators.
A diagnostics unit at the laboratory of networks and facilities of Kalugaoblvodokanal has been equipped with robotic pipeline inspection technology, the company said on social media.
The robotic system inspects collectors from the inside without the need for excavation, identifying faults, detecting damage and assessing pipeline condition. The system is designed for collectors with diameters ranging from 250 mm to 1,500 mm.
Maneuverability and Mobility
The robot, equipped with a video camera and sensors, is deployed inside the pipeline. It transmits real-time footage to an operator, detects and records anomalies, identifies the type of damage and evaluates the overall condition of the network. Its maneuverability and mobility allow inspections even in hard-to-reach areas.
The new system is expected to make defect detection faster and more efficient. It also reduces costs by eliminating the need for excavation work.
Earlier, researchers at Permskiy natsionalnyy issledovatelskiy politekhnicheskiy universitet (Perm National Research Polytechnic University) and Volgogradskiy gosudarstvennyy agrarnyy universitet (Volgograd State Agrarian University) introduced a universal robot for pipeline diagnostics and repair. The device automatically adjusts to pipe diameter, navigates sharp bends and moves along vertical sections while cleaning pipelines using a special liquid delivered through a hose.
