On June 8 and 9, a team of researchers from UC Berkeley Center for Smart Infrastructure CSI, which includes Wonjun Cha, Maksymilian Jasiak, Dayu Apoji, and Professor Kenichi Soga, used Boston Dynamics' SPOT robot to inspect the Upper San Leandro water tunnel for East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). SPOT is a quadruped robot that is known for its usefulness in various applications, including infrastructure assessment. The UC Berkeley team equipped SPOT with advanced sensors and a customized camera system to optimize it for inspecting water tunnels.
SPOT's 3D camera and 360 camera with a 360 diffusive light system are critical to its tunnel inspection capabilities. This system allows the robot to perform high-quality visual inspections. The collected data enables engineers to analyze the tunnel's condition in detail, helping them rapidly identify potential issues such as structural weaknesses, damages, and leaks quickly. Compared to human-based inspections, SPOT's capabilities make the process faster and less risky for workers compared to human-based inspections.
SPOT also carries high-precision gas sensors for measuring CO2, O2, and air quality. This advanced system can promptly detect harmful gas leaks within the tunnel system promptly, which could otherwise pose significant health risks to workers and impact tunnel operations.
In conclusion, SPOT's integration significantly improves water tunnel inspection capabilities. By combining cutting-edge camera technologies and precision gas sensors, SPOT ensures a comprehensive, accurate, and timely evaluation of tunnel health, leading to safer and more efficient operations. This innovative approach to water tunnel inspection has garnered substantial media attention, and you can find more information about this groundbreaking initiative at the links below: ABC7 News 11:00 PM and NBC Bay Area News - Meet Spot: EBMUD, UC Berkeley test robotic dog for infrastructure inspections.