Robot to Detect Infrastructure Problems Before They Happen

HiBot is robotic system aimed to inspect the water infrastructure from the inside of the pipes and estimate which parts of the pipes should have priority in fixing or changing.

 
HiBot robot

American pipes have a lifespan of 50 to 150 years but they were constructed in early or mid-1900s. However, the problem is that it is not easy to determine which pipes are the most urgent to fix. Even the prediction models, on which engineers currently rely, are not always accurate.

Changing pipes without a concrete and precise plan is a waste of money. Not to mention to loss if a pipe is neglected and a burst and leakage occurs.

HiBot is an "amphibious pipe robot" which could help detect the problematic parts of the infrastructure and help with the organize the repair plan.

HiBot Chief Executive Takashi Kato founded a Japanese robotic startup, Schaft, which Google acquired in 2013.

HiBot collects data about the weather, soil and traffic to predict the potential risky infrastructure parts.

When the robot is placed inside the pipeline, it measures the pipe wall thickness and estimates the quality of the structure in general.

The camera on the front of the robot, helps engineers see what they’re faced with.

By prioritizing the pipes to be fixed the government can focus on the pipes which will last shorter and save time and money.

Current droughts in California are perfect for the robot to begin its tests there.

HiBot Corp raised $3.6 million from venture investors and is expected to launch the product nationwide by the end of the year.

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Taxonomy

• Infrastructure
• Infrastructure Management
• Utility Pipe Network
• Pipeline Installation & Maintenance
• Water
• Water
• Pipelines
• Pipes and Pipelines