Communications of the ACM
Swarms of Golf Ball-Sized Robots Could Detect Leaks in the Sewers
Eindhoven University of Technology researchers developed golf ball-sized robots that can collect information as they float through pipes.
Credit: Bart van Overbeeke
Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands have developed golf ball-sized robots that can collect data as they float through pipes.
Each robot is equipped with a microprocessor, a sensor, memory boards, and a battery, and can be programmed to detect sound, temperature, pressure, acceleration, rotation, and magnetic fields.
The sensor may be activated by a sudden change in conditions, such as hissing associated with water escaping, or increased rotation that could indicate turbulent water flow.
The researchers aim to use the floating sensors to map water distribution networks below cities, and to detect leaks in those networks.
From New Scientist
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Abstracts Copyright © 2019 SmithBucklin, Washington, DC, USA
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