A Spherical Pipeline Inspection Gauge (PIG) for In-Line Navigation & Defect Detection

Overview

Across the US and Canada, approximately 260,000 water main breaks occur every year, one every two minutes. Deteriorating pipeline infrastructure has become a prevalent problem in the 21st century, with multiple municipalities facing constant repairs, flooding, and service outages. Nearly 20% of water pipeline infrastructure in North America is beyond its expected life, increasing the risk of failure. In response to this urgent threat, I developed a smart pipeline inspection robot that travels inside pipes and pinpoints defects. This cost-effective, accurate, and autonomous robot demonstrates the potential to serve as a practical alternative to existing methods. It uses a transparent, spherical frame with powered wheels for efficient navigation, and a custom dual camera setup to create visual/depth maps of pipe interiors. The final cost for this robot is C$362, and it can travel through straight sections, bends, and junctions while collecting inspection data that may reveal early signs of cracks.

Awards (2)

• Silver Medal
• Selected for CWSF 2026

Competition history

• CWSF 2026 Natural Resources

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