PipeInspect: Cutting-Edge Inspection on water distribution network with Fiber-Optic Positioning
Principal Investigator:
Prof. DING Xiao-li, Chair Professor of Geomatics, Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics
PipeInspect revolutionises the inspection of underground water distribution systems. Traditional approaches rely on periodic checks or reactive repairs, often missing early signs of corrosion, leakage, or contamination. PipeInspect introduces a new paradigm by combining a remotely controlled robotic platform with fibre-optic positioning and sensing, enabling real-time, accurate monitoring over distances of up to 100 km.
The system collects diverse data—high-resolution imagery, acoustic signals, and water quality samples—directly within pipelines. This multi-layered sensing allows a far more detailed and reliable understanding of infrastructure health than conventional techniques. The fibre-optic positioning network ensures precise robot localisation, even in complex pipeline systems, and provides a backup to enhance robustness.
The innovation lies in this fusion of robotics, sensing, and fibre-optics, creating the first scalable system capable of continuous, non-intrusive, and data-driven inspection. By shifting the focus from time-based or emergency-driven interventions to predictive maintenance, PipeInspect enables utilities to act before failures occur. This reduces costs, prevents service interruptions, and directly improves public safety.