Robotics

Robotic spider could soon be inspecting Japanese sewage pipes

Robotic spider could soon be inspecting Japanese sewage pipes
The SPD1 robot could be used on its own, or in tethered groups of three
The SPD1 robot could be used on its own, or in tethered groups of three
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The SPD1 robot could be used on its own, or in tethered groups of three
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The SPD1 robot could be used on its own, or in tethered groups of three
The SPD1 measures 21 x 25 x 28 cm (8.3 x 9.8 x 11 in) and tips the scales at about 3.5 kg (7.7 lb)
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The SPD1 measures 21 x 25 x 28 cm (8.3 x 9.8 x 11 in) and tips the scales at about 3.5 kg (7.7 lb)
The SPD1 is designed to make its way through pipes that are too narrow for people to explore
3/3
The SPD1 is designed to make its way through pipes that are too narrow for people to explore
View gallery - 3 images

According to Japanese robotics firm TMSUK, there's currently a shortage of sewer-inspection workers in that country. The company has therefore set out to streamline the workload for existing workers, by developing a sewage-pipe-inspecting robotic spider.

Known as the SPD1, the prototype multi-legged walking robot was reportedly created in response to a request from a road and sewage pipe maintenance company.

In its present form, the device measures 21 x 25 x 28 cm (8.3 x 9.8 x 11 in), weighs about 3.5 kg (7.7 lb), and is designed to make its way through pipes that are too narrow for people to explore. The robot is remotely powered and controlled via a cable that trails from it out to its human operator, who utilizes a gaming-type controller.

That person views real-time video from the SPD1's onboard camera, which could take the form of either a Raspberry Pi Camera Module 2 or an XDV360 360-degree camera – the advantage of the latter would be that instead of having to physically pan and tilt the actual camera, the user could just virtually pan and tilt on their own touchscreen.

The SPD1 measures 21 x 25 x 28 cm (8.3 x 9.8 x 11 in) and tips the scales at about 3.5 kg (7.7 lb)
The SPD1 measures 21 x 25 x 28 cm (8.3 x 9.8 x 11 in) and tips the scales at about 3.5 kg (7.7 lb)

The robot's "spider eyes" are actually LED spotlights and sensors that it uses to assess its surroundings.

And while a single SPD1 could be utilized solely to perform inspections, TMSUK envisions a scenario in which three of the robots could be physically linked together by a tether, working as a group. In this setup, the lead bot would navigate the pipe, the second bot would identify areas that require repairs, and the third bot would perform those repairs via a tool-holding robotic arm.

Plans call for the SPD1 to be demonstrated at a "sewage pipe survey site," after which its commercial availability will be announced. It can be seen in action, in the following video.

SPD1|新型ワークロイド クモ型ロボット 多脚歩行式ロボット【tmsuk】

Source: TMSUK (Japanese) via IEEE Spectrum

View gallery - 3 images
3 comments
3 comments
BlueOak
While this robot looks fancy, remotely controlled video robot sewer pipe inspection via a simple camera on motorized cart has been in use, at least in the US, for many years.
TpPa
cute and all, but those little pebbles are nothing like the condoms, fem hygene, feces, grease, roots etc. in the real world. drop the fancy complex legs & use time proven tracks.
WONKY KLERKY
In chorus with BlueOak + TpP:
When you're in the ordure, don't try to complicate things.
For an ie. / eg. - several:
All those casing gaps + Leg moving joints + Wheels for feet.
+
No fat block/obstruction other clearance tool proper to the front.
+
'And tail-end Charlie is to make repairs'
Wot a versatile chap he is going to have to be.