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Autonomous robotics and digital TWIN to improve water network performances

Project description

Robotic inspection system for water network maintenance

The dwindling water reserves and growing concerns about climate change underscore the urgency of implementing techniques and solutions to enhance water network efficiency. However, monitoring and assessing the extensive lengths of water industry networks poses significant challenges. With this in mind, the EIC-funded CleanWaterPathfinder project aims to develop a novel robotic inspection system. This system will automatically provide comprehensive insights into pipeline conditions, assessing and analysing potential dangers such as structural integrity issues or leaks, and delivering updates on water quality. The project intends to offer this solution as a service for water utility companies, providing a cost-efficient and adaptable service.

Objective

Our project aims to revolutionize the water industry through the development and commercialization of an innovative robotic inspection system. Our robotic inspection system offers a comprehensive set of functionalities that enable water utilities to gain deep insights into the condition of their water pipelines. With the ability to autonomously navigate inside the pipeline, our system conducts detailed assessments of the structural integrity, identifies leaks, and analyses the quality of the drinking water. By developing the Digital Twin of the water networks, our technology empowers water utilities to make informed decisions and take proactive measures to ensure the reliability, efficiency, and safety of their water networks.
At the core of our business model is Robotics as a Service (RaaS), which offers a flexible and cost-effective solution for water utilities. Instead of incurring substantial upfront costs, water utilities can access our cutting-edge technology on a subscription basis. This model eliminates the financial barriers to entry and allows utilities to benefit from the latest advancements in robotic inspection without compromising their budgetary constraints. With a strong focus on sustainability, our robotic inspection system aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). During 2025-2029, our robotic inspection system will preserve 143 million cubic metres of drinking water; these savings correspond to the annual consumption of 2.6 million EU citizens. This greatly aligns with global efforts for sustainable water management and environmental preservation.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-EIC-ACC-BF - HORIZON EIC Accelerator Blended Finance

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2023-ACCELERATOR-01

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Coordinator

AUTONOMOUS CLEAN WATER APPLIANCE (ACWA) ROBOTICS
Net EU contribution
€ 2 478 210,00
Address
LE PRATU HAMEAU I CROCI
20140 PETRETO BICCHISANO
France
SME
Yes
Region
Corse Corse Corse-du-Sud
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost
€ 3 540 300,00