Swarms of pipe-mending robots could keep roadworks from slowing us down Thanks to Create Magazine – Engineers Australia Written by Nadine Cranenburgh
Roadworks can be frustrating and time consuming for commuters, holiday-makers and road freight alike. Engineers in the UK are researching microrobotic tech that could carry out underground maintenance without disrupting traffic. Excavations to maintain underground infrastructure can cause lengthy delays and a resulting hit to productivity. In a bid to cut costs and save time, the UK government has invested £7 million (AU$12.5 million) into research and development of tiny robots that can swim through underground pipes to detect and repair cracks and blockages. UK Science Minister Chris Skidmore said in a media release these robots could pave the way to fulfilling the dream of a roadwork-free world. “These pipe-repairing robots herald the start of technology that could make that dream a reality in future,” he added. Professor Kirill Horoshenkov from the University of Sheffield’s Department of Mechanical Engineering will lead the project, which will also include researchers from Bristol, Birmingham and Leeds Universities. Horoshenkov said the new research program will help utility companies monitor hidden pipe infrastructure and solve problems quickly and efficiently. “This will mean less disruption for traffic and general public,” he said.
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