The trend of application of service robots for inspection, planned maintenance and removal of disruptionsin piping systems

Abstract

The world is currently at the beginning of the fourth industrial revolution – Industry 4.0, whose ultimate goal is to make everything intelligent, both production processes in the industry and system maintenance. The environment around us has plenty of piping systems such as: water, gas, oil, sewage, etc., which need to be continuously maintained. In other words, they require periodic inspections to identify errors such as corrosion, cracks, deformations, or obstruction with obstacles. Service robots for inspection and maintenance are very convenient for the inspection of piping systems. In addition, they are a point of interest to many researchers in the field, so there are countless developed service robots that are currently in use. Service robots for inspection of piping system are used for inspection and provide visual information from inside the corresponding pipe. When the service robot moves through the pipe, it records the inside with a camera and provides us with visual information, i.e., provides a video of the inside of the pipe where we can locate the error. We can use the video later to establish the condition of the recorded piping system and make the right decision what to do. The paper presents the trend of application of service robots for inspection. A number of constructions of these service robots that are already in implementation are shown. Service robots effectively reduce all problems related to the maintenance, cleaning and inspection of piping systems. The growing trend of service robots application is due to the implementation of basic technologies of Industry 4.0 because its aim is to receive the information about the operation of a system all along. Various robotic systems have been developed for inspection and examination of piping systems and plants that are dangerous to workers' health. Service robots are controlled by camera, sensor or simple tools. Most service robots for inspection are intended for tanks, piping systems for all materials for inspection of ventilation openings and pipes of air systems, sewer systems, nuclear plants, or work in aggressive environments. It is expected that the development and application of service robots for inspection will continue to grow in the nearest future. Service robots effectively reduce all problems related to the maintenance, cleaning and inspection of piping systems.