And finally… Tiny robots could be future of complex pipe network repairs
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Swarms of tiny, pipe-inspecting robots could soon be able to monitor and fix pipes, radically changing the UK’s buried infrastructure system which currently costs more than £5 billion per year to maintain.
In a world’s first, researchers are testing the viability of miniature robots that can be deployed to detect and repair damaged gas, water, and sewage pipes.
Artist's impression of a pipe robot
The UK Government has awarded the University of Leeds and the University of Sheffield, the University of Birmingham and the University of Bristol £7.2 million funding for their research into micro-robotics.
It is hoped that the micro-robots will be able to carry out work in dangerous environments and put an end to disruptive, expensive roadworks as they will be able to carry out repairs without the need to dig up roads. Airborne and underwater versions could also inspect and maintain difficult-to-reach locations such as offshore wind farms and oil and gas pressure vessels.
The project, and other robotics research projects, will be funded by the government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund and will be delivered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
UKRI chief executive Professor Sir Mark Walport said: “The projects demonstrate how robots and artificial intelligence will revolutionise the way we carry out complex and dangerous tasks, from maintaining offshore wind farms to decommissioning nuclear power facilities.”
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