Drainage ditch inspection robot for muddy water

Sanritsu Automation (Machida City, Tokyo), Aichi Institute of Technology, Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Institute, and others have developed an inspection robot that can operate in water and mud. Any distortions or deformations, such as pipes collapsing vertically, will be detected and reflected in the maintenance plan. The aircraft is 39 cm wide, 72 cm long, and 40 cm high, and the angle sensor on the aircraft can measure the inclination of water pipes in 1 degree increments. The angle of the concrete structure of the waterway and the angle of the joints will be measured to check the drainage performance. Drainage ditches of less than 60 cm in width were difficult for humans to enter, and it was necessary to check the amount of oxygen and whether gas was stagnant. After confirming its running and survey performance, the company will proceed with commercialization. (= November 14, 2019, photo credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)