Pipeline Inspection

 

Water industry specialists, including regulators like the UK’s Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat), emphasize that maintaining water transmission and distribution networks is infeasible without the adoption of advanced robotic technologies. To safeguard treated water and improve network efficiency, robotic systems are essential for detecting cracks, structural weaknesses, and sedimentation within operational pipelines.

To address this critical need, Vina has developed an innovative miniature robotic inspection system, tailored for non-disruptive pipeline assessments. This technology allows for internal inspections prior to hydraulic integrity testing, enabling early detection of hidden water losses, potential pipeline bursts, and structural defects that compromise network performance.

These robots are equipped with cameras to function as their “eyes” for visual inspection and wheels as their specialized “legs” for mobility within pipelines. Future enhancements may incorporate acoustic sensors to act as “ears,” enabling the recording of internal pipeline sounds and improving the system’s inspection capabilities.