Robot for pipe inspection
Autonomous inspection of tunnel drainage pipes
Together with ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG, LCM GmbH is developing the Tunnel Drainage Rover (TDR) – a compact robotic system for autonomous condition monitoring of drainage pipes in railroad tunnels. The aim is to detect sintering at an early stage – without tunnel closures and with minimal personnel costs.
Initial situation & requirements
- Sintering of drainage pipes in railroad tunnels, increasing number of tunnel kilometers and inspection costs
- Ambient conditions (humidity, dirt)
- Tight space conditions, kilometer-long pipe system
- No direct communication possible
- Goal: Autonomous monitoring of the pipe condition without tunnel closure
Technology & results
- Compact drive unit with chains, integrated electronics and battery (range 15 km)
- Sensor lance with cameras, line laser diode, lighting
- Obstacle detection for autonomous driving, AI-based sintering classification
- Evaluation of reliability/robustness at the Zentrum am Berg (Montanuni Leoben)
Contact Person
Dipl.-Ing., Dr. Markus Schörgenhumer, BSc
Business Area Manager Mechanics & Control
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