During the Stormwater Conference held in Wellington, Marcus Hall, Beca’s company surveyor, presented PIPE-i; a robot developed by the company’s team to perform detailed inspections in confined spaces and hard-to-reach environments such as sewers and tunnels, avoiding exposing workers to unnecessary risks.
The origin of PIPE-i
This robotic inspection vehicle inspection vehicle was manufactured between June 2022 and June 2023, when Beca’s structural engineers had to inspect a severely cracked and deformed culvert under a state highway.
Traditional methods proved ineffective, leading the company to investigate solutions available on the market. Finding none that met the requirements, the company decided to develop its own solution: PIPE-i, which had a development cost of approximately $100,000 and was funded by the Beca Innovation Investment Group (IIG) following a detailed business case.
A solution for confined space inspection
PIPE-i is equipped with a Leica BLK360 3D scanner, which allows it to capture accurate three-dimensional data in environments where it is not safe for people to enter. It also uses advanced technologies such as the 3D scanner and reality capture systems to accurately map and analyze the spaces it explores. Equipped with high-resolution cameras and proximity sensors, this inspector robot is able to navigate autonomously, capturing detailed data that is crucial for the infrastructure assessment.
Likewise, PIPE-i provides 360° high-definition images and its capabilities allow the collection of three-dimensional point clouds, which are then compared to detect any changes in the structure of the inspected spaces. This not only improves the accuracy of inspections, but also offers a safer and more cost-effective solution for the critical asset management.
A useful inspection robot
Importantly, the Beca team has successfully conducted several operations using the robot, including inspections at sites such as Weeper CT and Dome Valley CT. These achievements are a testament to the potential of this technology to transform the way in which confined space inspections are conducted. inspections are performed in confined spaces..
Among the next steps that Beca is exploring is the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into PIPE-i. These enhancements will allow for even more autonomous data collection and the ability to identify structural problems such as cracks more quickly and accurately.
Without a doubt, this solution represents a significant breakthrough in the robotic inspection industry. robotic inspectioncombining state-of-the-art technology with a clear focus on personnel safety and operational efficiency. The Beca team, which includes Marcus Hall, Jack Donaghy, Sam Fielden and Max Haberkorn, continues to work on the development of this tool, with the promise of further innovation in the field of confined space inspection.
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Source and photo: BECA | Marcus Hall
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