By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Pew PatriotsPew PatriotsPew Patriots
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Reading: Mini robots detect and fix water pipe leaks without digging
Share
Font ResizerAa
Pew PatriotsPew Patriots
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Search
  • Home
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
Mini robots detect and fix water pipe leaks without digging
News

Mini robots detect and fix water pipe leaks without digging

Jimmie Dempsey
Last updated: July 7, 2025 10:28 am
Jimmie Dempsey Published July 7, 2025
Share
SHARE

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Fixing underground water pipes usually means digging up roads and sidewalks — a process that’s disruptive and expensive. However, researchers at the University of Sheffield in the U.K. are working on a different approach. They’ve developed small robots called “Pipebots” that can travel inside water pipes to find and potentially repair leaks, all without any excavation.

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTER.

Old leaky underground pipes are causing a crisis

The U.K. has some of the oldest water systems in the world, with parts of the network still dating back to the Victorian era. Not surprisingly, many of these pipes are leaking, wasting about 790 million gallons of water every day. Fixing them usually means digging up streets, which causes major disruption and adds to the country’s $5 billion a year maintenance costs.

A prototype of a Pipebot.

Little robots come to the rescue

Pipebots are tiny, high-tech helpers designed to navigate the underground world of water pipes. Each one comes with acoustic sensors, cameras, and rugged wheels that help it move through tight, twisty spaces-while smart enough to steer clear of off-limits areas.

They’re dropped into the water system through hydrants and travel in groups, scanning the inside of pipes for even the smallest cracks. When they spot a problem, they send the details back to engineers above ground, making it easier to fix issues without digging anything up.

An illustration showing that a Pipebot has found a leak.

The robots are part of a bigger innovation plan

These robots are part of a larger effort to modernize how the U.K. manages its aging water infrastructure. The initiative isn’t just a university research project-it’s supported by the U.K.’s water regulator, OFWAT (the Water Services Regulation Authority), and involves several collaborative projects.

One of these projects focuses on using Pipebots to inspect live, pressurized wastewater pipes, also known as raising mains. The goal is to catch problems early and make repairs before leaks cause pollution. 

Another project, called “no dig leak repair,” is working on ways to fix leaks from inside the water mains themselves, completely avoiding the need for disruptive roadwork. 

There’s also the EU-funded Pipeon Project, which is developing advanced, AI-powered robots that can inspect sewers autonomously, without human guidance.

Image of a Pipebot.

Kurt’s key takeaways

These little robots could be exactly what countries everywhere need to keep their water systems running smoothly. They have the potential to make maintenance cleaner, more affordable, and way more efficient. That’s especially important for developing countries where budgets are tight and infrastructure is aging or incomplete. As the pressure to conserve water grows, tools like Pipebots could make a real difference in helping us manage this vital resource more wisely.

What water infrastructure challenges exist in your area, and do you think robots like these could help? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTER. 

Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Read the full article here

You Might Also Like

MLB trade deadline action gets underway as Mariners acquire first baseman Josh Naylor from Diamondbacks

Melania Trump posts victory X post after James Carville removes podcast alleging ‘Epstein connection’

Columbia University data breach hits 870,000 people

Hillary Clinton says she’d nominate Trump for Nobel prize if he brokers peace between Russia, Ukraine

Mountain bikers find missing hiker wandering wilderness in underwear

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

We Recommend
Travis Kelce ties Chiefs’ touchdown mark as Kansas City puts on show in win
News

Travis Kelce ties Chiefs’ touchdown mark as Kansas City puts on show in win

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey October 28, 2025
Hannity announces he will host town hall with GOP New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli
NHL fan falls from upper concourse during Penguins game
Man who went viral for heckling Winsome Sears with racist comment dealt another blow after getting fired
ICE leadership shakeup exposes growing DHS friction over deportation tactics, priorities
Airman found dead in Wyoming was under investigation in fatal shooting
Indiana trans student admits to plotting Valentine’s Day school shooting, kept ‘shrine’ to mass killers
News

Indiana trans student admits to plotting Valentine’s Day school shooting, kept ‘shrine’ to mass killers

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey October 28, 2025
Navy evacuates nearly 900 from Cuba as Hurricane Melissa approaches
Tactical

Navy evacuates nearly 900 from Cuba as Hurricane Melissa approaches

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey October 27, 2025
Recognizing the Roots of the Current US Political Turmoil
Prepping & Survival

Recognizing the Roots of the Current US Political Turmoil

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey October 27, 2025
Pew Patriots
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
  • Guns and Gear
2024 © Pew Patriots. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?