Millennium Projects
Technical Details
Millennium Project Number: M-2000-004
Project Title: Explorer Robotic Camera for Visual Inspection - CMU
Project Start Date: 2000
Projected End Date: 2006
Technical Details:
The objective of this project was to design, construct and field test Explorer, a long-range untethered robot for live visual inspections of gas distribution mains.
Explorer is a self-powered and remotely controlled system composed of seven modules. Two cameras (one at each end of the robot) allow visual inspection, while on-board batteries provide all needed power. No tether is required to operate the robot, since communication is established using wireless technology. The lack of tether allows longer range of operation as well as the negotiation of bends, tees and inclined segments of pipe. Three field demonstrations were conducted at the conclusion of the project. The technology is presently in the commercialization phase. The project will significantly advance visual inspections of gas mains, which now consist of tethered systems of limited range and limited inspection view.
The DOE National Energy Technology Lab and NASA provided substantial cofunding towards this effort.