A 6-wheeled robot performs hazard assessments to spare humans from exposure to danger.

What appears to be a creation from a sci-fi film at first glance is actually PIPE-i, a six-wheeled robot built for practical applications.

PIPE-i, a robotic survey vehicle developed by Beca, is designed to explore hazardous and confined spaces such as culverts and tunnels.

This advanced robot improves safety by preventing human access to hazardous areas while simultaneously increasing the precision and affordability of property assessments.

The story behind PIPE-i

What led to the creation of PIPE-i? It was in June 2022 when a team of structural engineers at Beca encountered a challenging project. They were tasked with surveying a severely damaged and distorted culvert situated beneath a busy highway.

No commercially available tools were able to handle the inspection, so the engineers decided to create their own solution. After a year, PIPE-i was born, a robot designed for confined space inspections.

Design and features of PIPE-i

The unique features of PIPE-i include its innovative design that combines advanced engineering and smart materials. Its 3D-printed body, made from a combination of polycarbonate and carbon fiber, provides both strength and lightness, making it ideal for navigating through tight spaces.

With six individually suspended wheels, PIPE-i can effortlessly navigate uneven terrain. Additionally, it is equipped with four 850-lumen LED panels to brighten up even the darkest corners of stormwater culverts. But that's not all.

PIPE-i's advanced capabilities are driven by a set of advanced sensors and imaging technologies. It includes a forward-facing pan/tilt camera and a lidar sensor, which enables it to create a detailed spatial map of its environment. Additionally, the device features an onboard Leica BLK360 3D scanner, which is concealed in a lidded compartment until it's time to gather data. When required, it flips up to capture stunning 3D scans of the culvert surroundings.

Real-time operation and future enhancements of PIPE-i

The real-time radio signal control of PIPE-i allows users to receive a live video feed from the robot's camera during the inspection process. This enables operators to monitor the conditions inside the culvert in real-time.

PIPE-i, in addition to its autonomous functions such as proximity sensing, has the potential to become even more self-sufficient with the integration of artificial intelligence algorithms. Beca aims to take PIPE-i's autonomy to the next level by incorporating AI algorithms, allowing it to think for itself while inspecting hazardous areas. This is the future that Beca is striving towards.

Comprehensive data analysis

The 3D point cloud model generated by PIPE-i after conducting an inspection of a culvert provides valuable insights into the culvert's condition, allowing engineers to spot issues that might be invisible during a live video feed. An optional omnidirectional camera can be added for 360-degree video to capture a complete view.

Adaptability and suspension features

The adjustable suspension system of PIPE-i makes it an incredibly versatile robot, allowing it to change its height to navigate around overhead obstacles or rise higher for better scanning. This adaptability is crucial when dealing with the unpredictable conditions often found in stormwater culverts.

Kurt's key takeaways

The six-wheeled robot PIPE-i is a game-changer in infrastructure inspection, keeping humans safe from hazardous environments while delivering top-notch accuracy and efficiency. Its innovative design and future enhancements promise to revolutionize the way we approach inspections.

What other areas could benefit from robotic technology, as seen in PIPE-i's innovative approach to infrastructure inspection? Share your thoughts by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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