IIT Madras Develops Robot To Check Water Supply Pipelines Leakages To Prevent Wastage

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras researchers have developed a robot to check pipeline leaks and other problems, the Hindu reports. The robot, ‘Endobot’, would be marketed by the IIT-M incubated startup, Solinas Integrity.

Endobot is presented as a solution to the costly process of recognising lowly-maintained and neglected pipes which are prone to leakage and stealth connections at a low cost.

The electrically-powered Endobot looks similar to a small tank. It runs on four wheels within the pipe and is connected by using a conveyor belt. The built of the robot would allow it to run over uneven terrain within the pipeline without stalling.

It would capture video and send a live feed to the base set up at the entry point, said CTO of the Centre for Nondestructive Evaluation in IIT Madras, Vishwa Sai Prathyusha. These feeds are forwarded to the user’s computer and can also be later analysed using a software developed by the team.

The team also plans to add more sensors- both ultrasonic and electromagnetic to help figure whether the pipes have developed corrosion or cracks on the other side. The team has also completed one set of trials within the IIT Madras campus which has sewers and installations ageing 40 years.

The team is talking to urban corporations to allow them to use the robot on a trial basis. Various municipalities are also interested in pilot studies using the robot.