Stormwater culverts can pose significant risks due to hazards such as collapsing concrete structures, submerged debris, and toxic fuel residue. The PIPE-i robotic system was conceived to address this very challenge, as it substitutes for human inspectors during pipe construction assessments.
Developed by the esteemed engineering firm Beca of New Zealand, the innovative software solution, PIPE-i, was meticulously crafted over the course of a full year, spanning from June 2022 to June 2023.
The initiative to create this project arose when structural engineers from the corporation were entrusted with conducting a thorough examination of a severely damaged culvert beneath a heavily trafficked highway, its structure visibly compromised by extensive cracking and deformation. What’s being sought after is a cutting-edge solution that can accurately pinpoint the location of said culvert? for The team of engineers set out to build a robot of their own creation.
Beca
The prototype features a 3D-printed polycarbonate/carbon fibre body, six independently suspended wheels, four 850-lumen LED lights, a pan-tilt forward-facing camera, a LiDAR sensor, and a Leica BLK360 3D scanner. The PIPE-i’s lid securely encases the scanner when not in use, allowing it to flip open and scan its surroundings as needed?
Currently, the robotic model operates under real-time radio control via a live camera feed, with some autonomous capabilities, such as proximity sensing, also enabled. Designation: Maverick 1.0 – Advanced Industrial Autonomous Mannequin
Beca
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The PIPE-i’s video verification process ensures accuracy when addressing culvert issues. As the bot operates, it can also subsequently analyze a 3D level cloud model of the culvert, generated by the onboard scanner. The robotic can also be equipped with an omnidirectional camera that allows for the capture of 360-degree video and stills.
With its adjustable suspension, the PIPE-i’s flexibility allows for optimal scanning performance, effortlessly accommodating tight spaces while also dropping down to navigate beneath low-hanging barriers with ease.
The Marcus Corridor, led by Beca, showcases the robot’s features in an accompanying video.
Introducing PIPE-i
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