CUES
Pipe and sewer inspection
- Key feature
- 150–1,200 mm pipe
- Key feature
- 305 m cable
- Key feature
- Steerable
On order
Price on request
Updated
SOLUTION · WATER AND UTILITY NETWORKS
Robots for water and utility networks: pipe inspection, confined spaces, plant rounds
Wheeled crawlers film the inside of pipes from the manhole, caged drones inspect tanks and structures, and quadrupeds run plant rounds. Crews enter confined spaces less often.
IN BRIEF
Updated
Water and wastewater network operators use CCTV inspection crawlers, confined-space drones and quadruped robots to inspect pipes, structures and plants.
Minicam Proteus CRP140-HD inspects pipes of 140 to 600 mm, or up to 1,000 mm with a cradle, and is waterproof to IP68 at 1 bar, according to its manufacturer.
Robot Distribution matches the robot to the network's diameters and lengths, commissions it, trains the crews and maintains it, for purchase, rental or RaaS.
WHAT ROBOTS DO
Three tasks robots take on across the network.
CCTV pipe inspection
A six-wheel-drive crawler goes down the manhole and films the pipe in HD. iPEK ROVION RX130 inspects DN150 to DN1000, with up to 500 m of cable depending on the reel, according to its manufacturer.
Structures and confined spaces
A caged drone inspects tanks, shafts and trunk sewers without GPS. Flyability Elios 3 maps in 3D with LiDAR and lights the space with 16,000 lm, according to its manufacturer.
Plant rounds
A quadruped robot walks wastewater and pumping stations on a fixed route. DEEP Robotics X30 is rated IP67, climbs stairs and works in darkness, according to its manufacturer.
USE CASES
The jobs our robots do in this sector.
CCTV inspection of sewer pipesThe camera robot travels the sewer from the manhole and films the pipe wall, controlled from the surface. Technicians keep the diagnosis, defect coding and the choice of works.
Large sewer and culvert inspectionThe robot travels through large trunk sewers, egg-shaped collectors and culverts under roads, camera centred in the section, driven from the surface. Sewer crews only go in to carry out work.
Sewer lateral inspection with a satellite cameraThe crawler drives along the main, stops at the connection and pushes a small pan-tilt camera into it. The building's lateral is inspected without opening the road or entering the property.
Inspection rounds in water treatment plantsThe robot tours basins, pumps and cabinets at set times and brings back images, temperatures and readings. Operators focus on deviations and running the process.
MATCHING ROBOTS
Pipe inspection crawlers, confined-space drones and quadrupeds.
Pipe and sewer inspection · 18 robots
See all Pipe and sewer inspection robots
CUES
Pipe and sewer inspection
- Key feature
- 180–1,830 mm pipe
- Key feature
- 610 m cable
- Key feature
- Steerable
On orderPrice on request
Easy-Sight
Pipe and sewer inspection
- Key feature
- 300–1,000 mm pipe
- Ingress protection
- IP68
- Runtime
- 8 h
On orderPrice on request
Pipe and sewer inspection
- Key feature
- 100–2,400 mm pipe
- Weight
- 6 kg
- Ingress protection
- IP68
On orderPrice on request
Professional drones · 14 robots
See all Professional drones robots
Professional drones
- Key feature
- 42 min flight time
- Ingress protection
- IP43
- Key feature
- 640×512 thermal
On orderFrom €9,490 ex VATor €319/month in RaaS
Professional drones
- Ingress protection
- IP55
- Key feature
- 7 km operation range
- Key feature
- 25 min fast charge
On orderFrom €21,490 ex VATor €729/month in RaaS
Professional drones
- Payload
- 100 kg
- Key feature
- 100 L spray tank
- Key feature
- 40 L/min spray flow
On orderFrom €9,640 ex VATor €329/month in RaaS
Professional drones
- Ingress protection
- IP56
- Key feature
- 54 min flight time
- Key feature
- 10 km operating radius
On orderFrom €16,790 ex VATor €569/month in RaaS
Quadrupeds · 29 robots
See all Quadrupeds robots
Quadrupeds
- Payload
- 5 kg
- Maximum speed
- 3.5 m/s
- Weight
- 15.5 kg
On orderFrom €6,440 ex VATor €219/month in RaaS
Quadrupeds
- Payload
- 25 kg
- Ingress protection
- IP67
- Key feature
- Wheel-legged
On orderFrom €45,490 ex VATor €1,549/month in RaaS
Quadrupeds
- Payload
- 50 kg
- Ingress protection
- IP67
- Weight
- 68 kg
On orderFrom €69,790 ex VATor €2,369/month in RaaS
Quadrupeds
- Payload
- 5 kg
- Maximum speed
- 3.5 m/s
- Weight
- 15.5 kg
On orderFrom €3,390 ex VATor €119/month in RaaS
Figures from the manufacturers' published specifications, checked . Prices ex VAT shown as "from" prices, or on quote.
HOW DEPLOYMENT WORKS
From site survey to after-sales.
Site survey
We walk the routes with you before any order: passage widths, door thresholds, floor gaps, slopes, lifts and doors, Wi-Fi coverage, charging and water points. The survey decides the model.
Mapping and commissioning
The robot is mapped on site, routes and no-go zones are set, and lifts, doors or call systems are connected where the model supports it.
Training
Operators learn daily use, charging and cleaning, error recovery and the emergency stop. One site lead learns to change routes and maps.
After-sales
Remote diagnosis first, then a part or a technician. Preventive maintenance and software updates can be part of a service contract or of a RaaS fee.
ACQUISITION
Buy, rent, or pay by the month.
- BUYOwn the robotOne invoice, with warranty and an optional service contract quoted alongside.
- RENTAL1 day to 12 monthsTest one floor or cover a season: delivered, set up and collected.
- RAAS24 to 60 monthsOne monthly fee: robot, maintenance, software, replacement.
REGULATION
What European law asks, in plain language.
Updated · General information, not legal advice.
Read the Machinery Regulation guide- CE marking and EU declaration of conformityEvery robot we deliver carries the CE marking and comes with the manufacturer's EU declaration of conformity, which we check before delivery.
- Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230The Machinery Regulation applies from 20 January 2027 and replaces Directive 2006/42/EC. It adds requirements for autonomous mobile machinery, safety software and protection against corruption.
- GDPR and robots with camerasA robot that films or maps a place where people can be identified processes personal data. The operator needs a legal basis, informs the people concerned and limits how long images are kept.
- Your risk assessmentAs an employer, you include the robot in the risk assessment of the workplace like any other work equipment. The manufacturer's instructions state the residual risks and the training required.
- Inspection codingEN 13508-2 sets the coding system for visual inspection of drain and sewer systems outside buildings. Observations filmed by the robot can be coded to this system and compared from one survey to the next.
FAQ
Questions network operators ask us.
What pipe diameter can a robot inspect?
According to their manufacturers: DN150 to DN1000 for iPEK ROVION RX130, 140 to 600 mm (1,000 mm with a cradle) for Minicam Proteus CRP140-HD, 4 to 96 in depending on the crawler for Envirosight ROVVER X. Cable length also guides the choice.
Can a robot inspect laterals from the main sewer?
Yes, with a lateral launch crawler. According to its manufacturer, Envirosight ROVVER X SAT II travels up to 300 m along the main and pushes a camera up to 45 m into the lateral.
Can inspection robots work in explosive atmospheres?
Some equipment comes in ATEX versions. According to its manufacturer, iPEK reels are offered in Zone 1 and Zone 2 versions. The operator defines the network's ATEX zoning, and the chosen equipment must match it.
Can a drone replace a confined-space entry?
It reduces entries for visual inspection. According to its manufacturer, Flyability Elios 3 flies 12.5 to 17 min depending on the battery, without GPS, with a 4K camera and a thermal camera. Confined-space entry rules still apply to any human intervention.
Tell us about your network. We will propose the robot and the inspection method.
Robots, acquisition mode and delivery terms, in one written proposal.