Descripción del proyecto
Plataformas robóticas para detectar las fugas de agua
Las fugas en la red europea de distribución de agua representan el 20 % del desperdicio de agua potable. Sin embargo, las reparaciones e inspecciones manuales no resultan suficientes, y las soluciones tecnológicas para efectuar mediciones precisas y localizar las fugas también presentan límites importantes. El equipo del proyecto TUBERS, financiado con fondos europeos, creará la primera combinación de plataformas robóticas del mundo que permite efectuar inspecciones las veinticuatro horas del día y reparaciones específicas «in situ». El sistema reducirá de forma considerable los costes de inspección y mantenimiento periódicos. Se compone de un robot residente con forma de serpiente para operaciones de larga distancia que supera los empalmes de las tuberías para navegar por la red, una plataforma modular de robots blandos para inspecciones y reparaciones de segmentos de tuberías, un sistema de inspección de alta precisión para detectar fugas y determinar la corrosión, y un sistema de apoyo a la toma de decisiones basado en algoritmos de aprendizaje automático explicable.
Objetivo
The European water network distribution is plagued by leaks that cause a staggering 20% of drinking water to go wasted. This is an environmental disaster given that water and sanitation sector is currently estimated to contribute up to 5% of global GHG emissions. Water utilities are struggling with this problem however the deadalic nature of water networks make manual inspections and repairs completely non-viable. Technology-based solutions have significant limitations in terms of measurement accuracy and leak localisation. Most importantly they do not encompass repair.
TUBERS sets forth a new paradigm by creating the world’s first combination robotic platforms allowing for 24/7 inspection and targeted in-situ repairs, greatly reducing the costs of regular inspection and maintenance.
The system will comprise: (a) A snake-like resident robot which can operate over long distances and negotiate pipeline-junctions to navigate large parts of the water network, (2) A modular soft-robotic platform capable of moving using an “inchworm” movement technique, for inspections and repairs of pipe segments featuring a novel repair deployment mechanism (3) A High-accuracy inspection system that can detect leaks and, most importantly, measure corrosion based on coded excitation, an advanced technique that greatly improves Signal-to-Noise ratio, (4) A Decision Support System powered by Explainable Machine Learning algorithms incorporating a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis framework for holistic planning of inspection and maintenance.
The TUBERS solution will be validated in real water network pipelines operated by 3 of the most prominent water utility companies in the Netherlands.
Once it reaches the market, our solution is poised to revolutionise inspection and repair of drinking water networks, providing the operators with powerful tools to eliminate waste, facilitating savings of an estimated 158GWh of energy and reduction of 79.000 tonnes of CO2 emissions within a 5-year period.
Ámbito científico
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwater treatment processesdrinking water treatment processes
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringrobotics
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligencemachine learning
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticulturevegetable growingroot crops
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
Convocatoria de propuestas
HORIZON-CL4-2021-DIGITAL-EMERGING-01
Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoriaRégimen de financiación
HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation ActionsCoordinador
15232 Chalandri
Grecia