Scottish services have decided to use drones for an unusual task. Specially equipped machines will fly… through the sewers. Such measures should significantly facilitate the work of inspectors.
Scottish Water is the government agency responsible for water supply in Scotland. As it turned out, the company keeps up with the times. The country’s sewer systems, stretching for 33 miles, will be inspected by drones.
Sewer drones are a breakthrough in Scotland
The historic first drone inspection in the UK took place in the Bath Street area of Glasgow. Similarly, they will soon be launched in other parts of the city, as well as in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and some rural areas.
The drone is equipped with a special cage, thanks to which its shape resembles a sphere. This allows the machine to maneuver safely even in narrow and low tunnels, in some cases dating back to the Middle Ages.
Of course, the machines are also equipped with technology. They use cameras and LiDAR for verification. The latter method scans the sewer system with a laser beam for cracks, cavities, holes, partial sinkholes or roots.
Sewer robot will replace many workers
More interestingly, one drone, piloted by two specialists, will replace the work of about 15 inspectors, the baskets had to be inspected manually, walk through the tunnels and inspect individual fragments of the sewer network.
Scottish Water claims that the machine can get the job done faster and that if potential defects are found as soon as possible, it will prevent more serious problems, including floods or collapses. Workers will also not be exposed to harmful conditions - sometimes there are poisonous gases in the sewers, and there is also a risk of getting stuck in old pipes.
Of course, new drones don’t mean poor inspectors will lose their jobs. Classical inspections will continue to take place in large sections of the Scottish sewer system, and drone inspections will simply not be possible in some places.
Source: Wprost
