UNEXMIN GeoRobotics Ltd. is proud to be a partner in the newly launched EU-funded PIPEON project, which aims to revolutionise the inspection, mapping and maintenance of sewer networks across Europe using cutting-edge robotics, artificial intelligence, and predictive maintenance technologies. The project officially kicked off in early 2025, highlighting the consortium’s commitment to developing autonomous solutions that enhance infrastructure resilience and sustainability.
PIPEON addresses the major challenges facing urban sewer systems, including limited visibility into network conditions, inefficient and outdated inspection methods, and harsh, corrosive environments that make maintenance difficult and costly.
A New Era in Sewer Network Management
Traditional sewer inspection approaches rely heavily on manual CCTV analysis and reactive maintenance, which often fail to detect issues before they escalate into costly failures or environmental hazards. PIPEON is developing autonomous AI-driven robotic systems capable of navigating complex underground environments, detecting defects, removing blockages, and supporting proactive maintenance strategies.
These technologies are designed to deliver real-time condition monitoring, advanced mapping data, and risk-aware decision-making, significantly improving the efficiency and sustainability of sewer network operations. By automating inspection and maintenance tasks, PIPEON aims to reduce failures, lower operational costs, and minimise environmental impact across municipal and industrial water infrastructures.
UNEXMIN’s Role in PIPEON
As a project partner, UNEXMIN GeoRobotics Ltd. will contribute its expertise in underwater and confined-space robotic systems, applying innovative solutions to one of the most challenging condition monitoring environments – underground sewer networks. The PIPEON consortium brings together 12 partners from across Europe, including research institutions, technology companies, and water utilities, united in advancing robotic autonomy in infrastructure inspection.
Project Impact and Goals
The PIPEON project is funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme and spans four years. Its core goals include:
Developing autonomous robots that can inspect and maintain sewer systems in corrosive, abrasive environments.
Enhancing predictive maintenance through AI-based anomaly detection and risk assessment.
Improving sewer network mapping and monitoring with advanced sensor technology and data fusion.
Reducing environmental impact by preventing wastewater spills and optimising maintenance interventions.
UNEXMIN GeoRobotics looks forward to actively contributing to PIPEON’s progress and sharing further updates as the project advances. Together with our partners, we are excited to help drive the transformation of critical infrastructure management with intelligent robotics and AI.