Synthotech, a Harrogate-based utilities engineering company, and its innovation division Synovate, will use its latest robot technology to identify and repair links within live water mains without requiring extensive excavations and minimising interruptions to water supplies.
Project partners include Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, Affinity Water, SES Water, Anglian Water, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Uisce Éireann Irish Water, and Southern Water, alongside Sheffield University, WRc, ALH Systems, and Arcadis.
In another project, robots equipped with advanced sensors will also be deployed in rising mains to predict failures and make repairs before they burst.
The water industry uses human-controlled robots to assess its partially filled sewer tunnels and sewers, which use gravity to move sewage. The project is expected to pave the way for autonomous robotics technology to be used in fully pressurised sewer pipes. Project partners include Thames Water, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Wessex, and Sheffield University.
Ofwat’s Water Breakthrough Challenge will make approximately £40m available for collaborative water-sector innovations.
The previous round, Water Breakthrough Challenge 3, concluded in 2023 with 16 finalists awarded a total of £38m.
In a statement, Mark Tindley, managing director of Synthotech, said: “Our team has worked hard to advance this technology to create a more efficient and sustainable way to identify and repair leaks. We look forward to working with Ofwat, water companies and partners across the industry to roll out the robots.”
Synthotech said its technology allows for high-definition images to be relayed to the operator, allowing for the accurate assessment of the issue and the selection of the most appropriate repair. The robots can be deployed remotely for long distances, which speeds up the investigation process to improve health and safety and reduce environmental impact.
The robots serve as a platform for sensors and repair technology that can adapt to each situation. Several spray liners, structural lining and sealants can be used to make repairs. The robot can also operate in a pressurised environment.
A team of two can be deployed to investigate and repair and the robots are small enough to access a pipe through an access point.
Simon Langdale, engineering director at Synovate, said: “Over the next decade, robots will play an increasingly important role in the economy and society. The water industry is taking significant strides to ensure that it benefits from opportunities that robots can play in maintaining infrastructure with the next generation of trenchless technology.”
Comment: Can AI take drivers out of the loop?
This set of words from the above says it all! 'physical mileage accumulation on real roads or test tracks, or, increasingly - through DIL...