The Robot That Checks for Leaky Pipes - DZone AI

I've written a number of times previously about the drive towards smarter cities, with the Internet of Things used to monitor key infrastructure and even provide real-time repairs. One interesting project is taking place in the sewers beneath the American city of Cincinnati. The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati (MSD) aims to develop a "smart sewer" that reduces the overflow into the cities rivers and creeks. MIT researchers are working on a similar approach, albeit their aim is to reduce leaks that result in roughly 20% of global water supplies being lost during transportation. Their system consists of a rubbery robot that looks a little bit like a badminton shuttlecock. The device is inserted into the water system, and then is carried along with the flow of water, measuring and logging as it goes.