Apical Robotics
Apical Robotics
Our mission at Apical Robotics is to revolutionize industrial pipe inspection. Currently, there are no efficient methods to inspect large diameter pipe and HVAC networks. Operators are forced to disassemble large pipe sections or methodically inspect small sections of HVAC networks at a time to verify the integrity of their networks. Bechtel sponsored us to develop a vine robot inspection device to navigate their large diameter liquid natural gas pipelines. Our portable system uses a compact blower fan to propel a borescope camera into the piping network, where a pneumatic tip mount will ensure the camera is centered and stable inside the pipe. The inspector will then be able to inspect the pipe as they pull the borescope through the network. We tested our device at a Bechtel Site in Houston, Texas, where we were able to successfully navigate their 36-inch diameter, 80-foot long demonstration pipeline.