Tokyo start-up wins Moreton Bay challenge

Koei Dreamworks has won City of Moreton Bay’s open innovation challenge with a self-propelled inspection robot.

The Tokyo startup developed an inspection robot which can navigate small diameter pipes by using internal pipe imagery, a gyro sensor and a distance metre.

Moreton Bay City Council will now work with Koei Dreamworks, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and partner Unitywater, to deliver a proof of concept trial.

Council was selected earlier this year to take part in a Tokyo Metropolitan Government initiative to connect innovative startups with overseas cities to solve urban challenges.

This saw five Tokyo startups travel to Moreton Bay to learn more about the City and pitch their proposed solutions.

Koei Dreamworks developed the self-propelled inspection robot in response to the challenge theme of “infrastructure maintenance management”.

The robot is called ‘Haikan-Kun’ which translates as ‘Pipeworks Buddy’ and can navigate inside pipes using internal pipe imagery, pipe routing location data and distance data.

The unique advantage of the robots is their ability to navigate smaller diameter pipes to address potential issues like blockages, cracking and general aging. 

Moreton Bay has more than 90km of stormwater pipes measuring less than 150mm diameter and in various states of condition making timely inspection of these sometimes challenging.

“Like many cities, we face the challenges of ageing infrastructure and the need for effective and timely inspection of underground pipes,” Mayor Peter Flannery said.

“Technologies exist for larger diameter pipes, but a cost-effective solution for smaller pipes has been difficult to find.

“If the trial is successful, we’ll be able to improve the maintenance of our small diameter pipes across storm water networks, aquatic facilities, building wastewater and water services, Council’s irrigation network and leachate systems in our current and historical landfill sites.”

The self-propelled inspection robots will soon be trialled and tested across Council’s stormwater network as well as throughout Unitywater’s wastewater network.

“Each year Unitywater inspects approximately 120km of gravity reticulation network and 25km of trunk mains using CCTV,” Unitywater Executive Manager Customer Delivery Rhett Duncan said.

“However, we have been limited in our ability to accurately inspect smaller pipes.

“Koei Dreamworks’ innovative inspection robots will enable us to amplify our existing equipment to ensure more thorough asset inspection and maintenance.”

Following the trial, the program will be evaluated to determine its success.