Miniature robots that can find and fix leaky water pipes autonomously without the need to dig up roads have been developed by researchers at the University of Sheffield.
‘Pipebots’ are miniature robots equipped with sensors that can travel through pipes and check for defects in underground infrastructure.
The project, led by researchers at the University of Sheffield’s School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, with input from the universities of Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds, started over six years ago.
The aim was to revolutionise how water infrastructure is managed to prevent water being lost through cracks and defective pipes.
Professor Kirill Horoshenkov, Pipebots programme director and professor of acoustics at the University of Sheffield, said: “Leaky water pipes are one of the biggest issues facing the water industry, not just here in the UK, but also globally as companies and governments grapple with ageing infrastructure.
“Whilst pipe inspection technologies have improved...
