A robot that can help detect leaks in water pipes – and navigate bends - is the winner of a water technology innovation award.

The Submerge Autonomous Inspection Robot, which can also map underground water networks, fought off competition from over 50 entries to the Aquatech Innovation Awards 2021.

“The unique element about this innovation is that the robot can manoeuvre around corners,” said jury chairman Professor Cees Buisman, scientific director of Wetsus, “which is special because normally robots travel forwards in straight lines."

The robot can precisely determine the condition of drinking water pipes using its built-in camera, ultrasonic sensor, hydrophone and positioning algorithm. It is flexible enough to crawl through drinking water pipes, navigating between base stations and getting recharged and exchanging data as it goes.

“It can help detect leaks, corrosions and even be used to map pipe networks to create a digital twin” - a virtual representation of the physical network, said Buisman. “It’s very important for piping companies to know exactly where pipes are located, which isn’t always the case at the moment.”

Submerge was the overall winner of the awards, which were announced in Amsterdam on 1st November. The project was developed by multiple stakeholders including the Netherlands’ water supply companies Vitens, Brabant Water and Evides.

Professor Buisman said the high level and number of innovations provided real hope for the water sector - "It's remarkable how engaged so many people are to keep innovating to solve water challenges."