Project structure

This work package defines the step-change in sewer maintenance from socio-economic and end-user perspectives. It includes user requirement analysis, socio-economic impact assessment, and technical specifications for robots, manipulators, and data acquisition. Through stakeholder engagement, it ensures alignment with real-world needs. The impact of automation on employment, environment, and public health is analyzed, and a whole-life cost analysis is performed to assess the benefits of data-driven sewer maintenance.

WP Leader:
Water Europe (WE)

This WP focuses on developing robust, corrosion-resistant sewer robots capable of operating in harsh environments. Advanced anti-abrasive and anti-corrosive materials will be selected for durability, and two robotic prototypes (Tardigrade1 for stable operations and Tardigrade2 for agile locomotion) will be developed. Additionally, wireless charging stations will be designed to enable long-term, autonomous sewer operation. The robots will be optimized for mixed terrain locomotion and self-adjusting control systems for confined sewer spaces.

WP Leader:
TalTech

This WP develops dexterous robotic manipulators capable of installing sewer flow monitors and removing blockages in confined sewer networks. Two manipulators—Cheliped1 for blockage removal and Cheliped2 for sensor installation—will be designed, tested, and optimized. The manipulators will operate in small-diameter pipes and branch connections, using advanced tendon-driven actuation for lightweight, high-dexterity movements. A digital twin infrastructure will be developed for realistic simulations, ensuring seamless integration with the sewer robots.

WP Leader:
HEROBOTS (HRB)

This work package develops advanced sensor technologies and AI algorithms to enhance robot perception, navigation, and defect detection in sewer environments. It includes airborne sonic sensing for long-range pipe condition analysis, optical and LiDAR sensing for defect classification, and underwater penetrating radar for soil cavity detection. Additionally, Bayesian optimization methods will optimize sensor deployment, and sensor fusion will enhance real-time decision-making for autonomous operations.

WP Leader:
University of Sheffield (USFD)

This WP focuses on AI-driven localization, mapping, and risk-aware path planning in complex sewer networks. It develops semantic SLAM techniques to overcome featureless environments, ensuring accurate defect localization. Advanced scene perception methods fuse data from optical, acoustic, and radar sensors for real-time sewer mapping. Risk-aware planning algorithms will prevent robots from becoming lost or immobilized, ensuring safe, efficient, and autonomous operations.

WP Leader:
University of Sheffield (USFD)

This WP develops a digital twin of sewer networks, integrating real-time data from autonomous robots to enhance asset management, deterioration modeling, and hydrodynamic simulations. Improved data resolution will enable a shift from reactive to predictive maintenance, optimizing sewer monitoring and flow sensor placement. The economic impact of this transformation will also be assessed, analyzing the cost-benefits of proactive maintenance strategies.

WP Leader:
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

This WP ensures the seamless integration of PIPEON’s robotic locomotion, manipulation, sensing, and AI-driven decision-making. It focuses on hardware and software integration, ensuring robots can autonomously navigate, detect anomalies, and perform maintenance tasks. Wireless power supply, data transfer, and docking stations will be developed to support long-term sewer operations. Formal failure mode analysis will be conducted to enhance the system’s industrial reliability and scalability.

WP Leader:
TalTech

This work package validates PIPEON’s robotic technologies through controlled laboratory, semi-controlled, and real-world sewer testing. Sensor accuracy, robot locomotion, control systems, and manipulation capabilities will be assessed in dedicated test rigs and full-scale sewer networks. The materials used in robots will undergo long-term corrosion and wear testing, while final field trials in operational sewer networks will evaluate autonomy, efficiency, and environmental impact. These tests will ensure PIPEON’s innovations meet industry requirements for reliability and performance.

WP Leader:
University of Sheffield (USFD)

This WP focuses on PIPEON’s communication, stakeholder engagement, and market exploitation. A Policy Impact Strategy will position PIPEON’s innovations within EU regulatory frameworks. The target market, customer needs, and competitor landscape will be assessed to define business models and commercialization routes. Collaboration with EU initiatives and clustering with related projects will maximize dissemination, ensuring PIPEON’s impact beyond the project duration. A roadmap for long-term exploitation of AI-driven sewer inspection and robotic maintenance will be developed.

WP Leader:
Water Europe (WE)

This WP ensures efficient project execution, overseeing legal, financial, and administrative coordination. Data and Intellectual Property (IPR) management strategies will be established to protect PIPEON’s innovations. A Risk Management Framework will proactively address technical, financial, and operational risks. An Advisory Panel will provide strategic guidance, while health and safety protocols will be developed for safe robotic operations in hazardous sewer environments. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will be created for robot handling, transport, and maintenance.

WP Leader:
TalTech