Infrastructure Inspection

Types of inspection robot

Different assets call for different robots. Pipe and sewer crawlers travel through drains and culverts carrying cameras and, on some models, laser or sonar profiling. Climbing robots use magnetic wheels to inspect tanks, boilers and other steel structures. Caged drones fly inside confined spaces such as tunnels, chambers and plant rooms, where a collision would ground an ordinary drone. Legged robots walk sites and buildings on a planned route, capturing images and scans as they go. Each can replace work that would otherwise need confined-space entry, scaffolding or road closures, or make that work less frequent.

What the data is for

An inspection robot is a data-collection tool, and its value depends on how its output feeds your asset records and maintenance decisions. Agree in advance which defects you need to detect, how they should be coded, and whether the format matches the condition-assessment standards your organisation already uses. Ask how footage and measurements are stored, who can access them and how long they are kept. Check whether the software can compare inspections over time, so you can track deterioration rather than simply record it. Good data practice turns a single inspection into a long-term evidence base.

Procurement considerations

Inspection robots are often bought by the unit, but the decision covers more than hardware. Specify the asset types, diameters, materials and access points the robot must handle, and test it on representative assets before committing. Ask about operator training, maintenance, spares and software licences, and whether data processing is included or charged separately. Consider whether to own the equipment or have contractors bring their own, and how either choice affects data ownership. Where a framework agreement or tender applies, build these points into the specification so bids can be compared fairly.

Sources and further reading

• Safe work in confined spaces (L101): Confined Spaces Regulations 1997, Approved Code of Practice and guidance — Health and Safety Executive (UK).
  HSE's approved code of practice on confined spaces, with risk assessment advice and a decision flowchart.
• Collection of Data With Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for Bridge Inspection and Construction Inspection (FHWA-HRT-21-086) — Federal Highway Administration (US).
  Federal research on using drones in bridge inspection, with case studies and sensor quality testing.
• PACP, LACP and MACP 8.0 three-day course syllabus — NASSCO.
  Outlines NASSCO's Pipeline Assessment Certification Program, the North American system for coding pipe defects.

Common questions

Do inspection robots remove the need for confined-space entry?

They can reduce how often people enter, by surveying first and directing the work. Some tasks will still need people on site under your safe systems of work.

Can inspection data feed our asset-management system?

Often, but formats vary. Check export options and defect-coding standards with the maker before you buy.