PIPEON at a glance

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TalTech

Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) is a public university founded in 1918. The contribution to this project is given through Centre for Biorobotics. The Centre for Biorobotics was established in 2008 with the aim of conducting multidisciplinary research on the borderline of science and technology. Lead by Prof. Maarja Kruusmaa, the Centre for Biorobotics specializes in research and development of underwater robotics and sensing. In the field of robotics, we are focusing on development of locomotion and control in underwater and multiphase environments, where conventional land and underwater platforms are underperforming. In connection with robotics, we are focusing on using bioinspired sensing methods in combination with conventional tools to improve situational awareness and navigation performance of our robots. Apart from robotics, we are also applying the bioinspired sensing methods in water flow sensing in natural environments (rivers, coast etc.).

Website: https://taltech.ee/en

Project Leader:
Maarja Kruusmaa
Professor of Biorobotics

Maarja Kruusmaa Professor of Biorobotics

NTNU

NTNU is an international oriented university that has a main profile in science and technology, a variety of programmes of professional study, and great academic breadth that also includes the humanities, social sciences, economics, medicine, health sciences, educational science, architecture, entrepreneurship, art disciplines and artistic activities.

Website: https://www.ntnu.edu/ibm/water-and-wastewater-engineering

Project Leader:
Franz Tscheikner-Gratl
Associate Professor for Urban water systems
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Franz Tscheikner-Gratl Associate Professor for Urban water systems Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

University of Sheffield

University of Sheffield is a research university with a global reputation for excellence. We’re renowned for the excellence, impact and distinctiveness of our research-led learning and teaching.

iCAIR (https://icair.ac.uk/): The Integrated Civil and Infrastructure Research Centre at the University of Sheffield is a national research facility that seeks to apply world leading research to the construction and infrastructure sectors, with the goal of delivering step changes in productivity and resilience.

Website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/

Project Leader:
Simon Tait
Professor of Water Engineering
Department of Civil and Structural Engineering

Simon Tait Professor of Water Engineering Department of Civil and Structural Engineering

UNEXMIN

UNEXMIN is a European Union-funded Horizon 2020 project that developed an autonomous robotic system for exploring and mapping Europe’s flooded mines. The project’s core innovation is the UX-1 robot series, designed to navigate submerged, inaccessible mine environments without human intervention. These spherical robots employ non-invasive 3D mapping techniques to collect valuable geological, mineralogical, and spatial data, aiding in decisions about potential mine reopening and resource assessment. The UNEXMIN project concluded in 2019, but its legacy continues through UNEXUP, an initiative aimed at commercializing and enhancing the technology. UNEXUP focuses on improving the robots’ hardware and software, expanding their capabilities, and launching a mine mapping service to support mineral exploration and surveying efforts.

Website: https://www.unexmin.eu/

Project Leader:
Richárd Zoltán Papp – Managing Director

Richárd Zoltán Papp Managing Director

HEROBOTS

HEROBOTS is a robotics startup based in Italy, founded in 2021 as a spin-off of the University of Naples Federico II. The company develops innovative flexible and continuum robotic systems tailored for operations in hazardous, confined, and hard-to-reach environments. Their robots are designed to support critical tasks such as inspection, maintenance, and manipulation, particularly in sectors like nuclear decommissioning, aerospace, and industrial monitoring.

Among HEROBOTS’ technologies are tendon-driven and pneumatic continuum manipulators like the T-Bot and G-Bot, along with modular tools such as HeroGrip (robotic grippers) and HeroEye (vision systems). These robots excel in adaptability and dexterity, enabling precise operations where traditional tools cannot reach. HEROBOTS also provides simulation software, digital twins, and control algorithms to support real-time operations.

The company is actively involved in European research, including the Horizon Europe-funded PIPEON project, which focuses on AI-powered sewer inspection. HEROBOTS combines academic research with industrial application to offer advanced robotic solutions.

Website: https://www.herobots.eu/

Project Leader:
Stanislao Grazioso
Cofunder and CEO

Stanislao Grazioso Cofunder and CEO

Baerum Municipality

Bærum is a municipality in the Greater Oslo Region, located in southeastern Norway. It is situated at the head of the Oslo Fjord and adjoins the national capital, Oslo, on the west. Bærum covers an area of approximately 192 square kilometers and has a population of around 129,874 as of 2022. The administrative center of Bærum is Sandvika. Known for its affluent suburbs, Bærum boasts the highest income per capita in Norway and a high proportion of university-educated residents.
Bærum’s water and sewage services are managed by the municipality to ensure high-quality drinking water and efficient sewage treatment. Water and sewage services in the municipality are responsible for the management, operation, and maintenance of all water and sewage services in the municipality, as well as plans for renewal and new facilities.

Website: https://www.baerum.kommune.no/tjenester/vann-og-avlop/

Project Leader:
Hans Thoresen
Service Manager for Water and Wastewater

Hans Thoresen Service Manager for Water and Wastewater

Municipality Heusden

The municipality of Heusden has 46.000 inhabitants. We have a sewersystem in order to collect en transport rainwater and wastewater. In pipeon we contribute in formulating the demands and conditions for developing and operating a robot in sewers. We make our sewersystem available for testing an operating prototypes.

Website: https://www.heusden.nl/

Project Leader:
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Bay Zoltan Nonprofit Ltd. for Applied Research

Bay Zoltán Nonprofit Ltd. for Applied Research (BZN), Hungary is a non-profit public benefit company.
BZN undertakes technology development, prototype production, small and medium series production as well. It has 30 years of experience in R&D, innovation and knowledge management. BZN offers complex service supported by over 120 professional researcher and engineers working in 8 different areas of expertise to ensure efficient and fast working method, quick delivery. Its highlighted research topics are Industry 4.0, Energy management, Circular Economy, Raw Materials Sciences, Clean Production development and Bioeconomy
Electrical engineers and IT experts, mechanical engineers offer know how on material sciences and technology development, materials characterisation, operational safety; logistics; LCA and LCC; tech transfer and innovation services. BZN’s solutions apply cutting edge technologies including Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Machine Vision and Learning, Data Mining or 3D printing. In specific fields, pilot production capabilities are also available.

Website: www.bayzoltan.hu

Project Leader:
Katalin Kurucz
International relations expert – Innovation Management

Katalin Kurucz International relations expert - Innovation Management

Headlight AI

Headlight AI is a UK-based technology company specializing in AI-driven solutions for the assessment and digitization of underground infrastructure. Established in 2017, the company develops advanced hardware and software systems that enable autonomous robots and drones to safely navigate and map challenging environments such as sewers, tunnels, and culverts. Their flagship product, Telesto, integrates LiDAR and imaging sensors with proprietary AI algorithms to create detailed 3D digital twins of subterranean assets, facilitating efficient condition assessments and maintenance planning. Headlight AI’s technologies are designed to operate in GPS-denied, low-light, and hazardous conditions, reducing the need for manual inspections and enhancing worker safety. The company is also involved in the European Commission-funded PIPEON project, which aims to develop autonomous robots capable of inspecting and repairing sewer systems. Through these innovations, Headlight AI contributes to the resilience and sustainability of critical infrastructure amidst the challenges of urbanization and climate change.

Website: https://www.headlight.ai

Project Leader:
Jameel Marafie
Cofunder and CEO

Jameel Marafie Cofunder and CEO

Water Europe

Water Europe (WE) is the recognized voice and promotor of water-related innovation, research, and technology development in Europe. WE is a purpose-driven multi-stakeholder association with over 280 members, representing the entire range of actors in the innovative water ecosystem. WE was established by the European Commission as a European Technology Platform. WE is guided in all its activities by its Water Vision with the ultimate ambition of achieving a Water-Smart Society.

Website: https://www.watereurope.eu

Project Leader:
Durk Krol
WE Executive Director

Durk Krol WE Executive Director