A pipeline inspection robot for navigating tubular environments in the sub-centimeter scale.

Chao Tang, Boyuan Du, Songwen Jiang, Qi Shao, Xuguang Dong, Xin-Jun Liu, Huichan Zhao

May 2022 Sci Robot

Synopsis of Social media discussions

The collective discussions emphasize the robot's innovative nature, describing it as 'earthworm-like' and highlighting its ability to navigate tiny, complex pipes with features like elastic actuators and magnetic assembly. The tone is enthusiastic, with words like 'snap together' and 'inspect sub-centimeter engines', indicating both fascination and anticipation of its potential impact.

A
Agreement
 Moderate agreement

Most discussions are positive and acknowledge the innovative design and potential of the pipeline inspection robot.

I
Interest
 High level of interest

Posts indicate high curiosity about the robot's capabilities, especially citing its small size and unique features like snapping together with magnets.

E
Engagement
 Moderate level of engagement

Comments reflect some level of engagement, such as sharing links to further information and mentioning specific technical details, but lack deep technical debates.

I
Impact
 High level of impact

Participants believe this development could significantly influence pipeline maintenance and robotic engineering, highlighting its practical applications.

Social Mentions

YouTube

4 Videos

Twitter

16 Posts

Blogs

3 Articles

News

12 Articles

Reddit

2 Posts

Metrics

Video Views

519

Total Likes

97

Extended Reach

9,066,985

Social Features

37

Timeline: Posts about article

Top Social Media Posts

Posts referencing the article

Lightweight Micro-robot for Pipeline Inspection Inside Aircraft Engines

Lightweight Micro-robot for Pipeline Inspection Inside Aircraft Engines

This video demonstrates quick assembly of the pipeline robot. The robot is a lightweight, smart material-driven device capable of navigating sub-10mm diameter pipes, utilizing elastic actuators and magnets for rapid assembly and adaptability in various environments.

Science X: Phys.org, Medical Xpress, Tech Xplore

June 17, 2022

197 views

Sub-Centimeter Scale Pipeline Inspection Robot for Complex Environments

Sub-Centimeter Scale Pipeline Inspection Robot for Complex Environments

This lightweight, smart material-driven robot (2.2 grams, 47 mm long) navigates pipes with less than 10 mm diameter and diverse shapes. Powered by advanced elastic actuators and magnets for quick assembly, it performs rapid inspections in various pipeline environments.

Necrobioarchetype

July 5, 2022

132 views

Tiny Earthworm Robot for Engine Inspection and Pipeline Navigation

Tiny Earthworm Robot for Engine Inspection and Pipeline Navigation

A team of roboticists developed a small robot that crawls through aircraft engines like an earthworm. Equipped with soft actuators and magnetic segments, it can navigate complex pipelines, send images, and adapt to various configurations for inspection and maintenance.

Finite Future

June 7, 2022

98 views

Sub-centimeter Pipeline Inspection Robot with Smart Materials

Sub-centimeter Pipeline Inspection Robot with Smart Materials

A lightweight, smart material-driven pipeline inspection robot can navigate pipes less than 10 mm in diameter and various shapes. Equipped with advanced actuators and magnets for quick assembly, it performs rapid movements and inspections in diverse pipeline environments.

Necrobioarchetype

October 1, 2023

93 views

  • Pepper Rutland
    @PepperRutland (Twitter)

    A pipeline inspection robot for navigating tubular environments in the sub-centimeter scale https://t.co/gR9BPjse7T
    view full post

    July 4, 2022

  • Andrew Sefton
    @OPCATrusted (Twitter)

    A pipeline inspection robot for navigating tubular environments in the sub-centimeter scale https://t.co/xNdgh85IWd
    view full post

    June 10, 2022

  • cacouteau
    @cacouteau (Twitter)

    RT @ScienceMagazine: Researchers have built an earthworm-like #robot that snaps together with magnets to inspect sub-centimeter engine pipe…
    view full post

    June 6, 2022

    11

  • Jason Mullikin
    @jason_mullikin (Twitter)

    RT @ScienceMagazine: Researchers have built an earthworm-like #robot that snaps together with magnets to inspect sub-centimeter engine pipe…
    view full post

    June 6, 2022

    11

  • Ram Ram
    @RamRam95942234 (Twitter)

    RT @ScienceMagazine: Researchers have built an earthworm-like #robot that snaps together with magnets to inspect sub-centimeter engine pipe…
    view full post

    June 6, 2022

    11

  • VirginSlayerIncelius
    @VIncelius (Twitter)

    ScienceMagazine: Researchers have built an earthworm-like #robot that snaps together with magnets to inspect sub-centimeter engine pipes. Learn more in @SciRobotics: https://t.co/JM17mdwBUX https://t.co/Z6B3bui3Nj
    view full post

    June 6, 2022

  • mddb
    @amountail (Twitter)

    RT @ScienceMagazine: Researchers have built an earthworm-like #robot that snaps together with magnets to inspect sub-centimeter engine pipe…
    view full post

    June 6, 2022

    11

  • Sathya Jackson
    @SathyaMJJ (Twitter)

    RT @ScienceMagazine: Researchers have built an earthworm-like #robot that snaps together with magnets to inspect sub-centimeter engine pipe…
    view full post

    June 6, 2022

    11

  • donfr58
    @Dpragan15 (Twitter)

    RT @ScienceMagazine: Researchers have built an earthworm-like #robot that snaps together with magnets to inspect sub-centimeter engine pipe…
    view full post

    June 6, 2022

    11

  • anil goel
    @1967Anil (Twitter)

    RT @ScienceMagazine: Researchers have built an earthworm-like #robot that snaps together with magnets to inspect sub-centimeter engine pipe…
    view full post

    June 6, 2022

    11

  • Science Magazine
    @ScienceMagazine (Twitter)

    Researchers have built an earthworm-like #robot that snaps together with magnets to inspect sub-centimeter engine pipes. Learn more in @SciRobotics: https://t.co/vbExexRY3P https://t.co/tVBMrlKrQB
    view full post

    June 6, 2022

    47

    11

  • Ki Chul, Hwang
    @conpaper (Twitter)

    마이크로 파이프라인 검사 로봇 VIDEO: A pipeline inspection robot for navigating tubular environments in the sub-centimeter scale https://t.co/xfu1w16wsi https://t.co/tZdUrtBi6Z
    view full post

    June 2, 2022

  • VirginSlayerIncelius
    @VIncelius (Twitter)

    ScienceMagazine: Researchers have built an earthworm-like #robot that snaps together with magnets to inspect sub-centimeter engine pipes. Learn more in @SciRobotics: https://t.co/JM17mdwBUX https://t.co/f5f3x6WzbH
    view full post

    June 1, 2022

  • Science Magazine
    @ScienceMagazine (Twitter)

    Researchers have built an earthworm-like #robot that snaps together with magnets to inspect sub-centimeter engine pipes. Learn more in @SciRobotics: https://t.co/vbExexRY3P https://t.co/VdVjqjynuX
    view full post

    June 1, 2022

    27

    5

  • Sunny Kumar
    @chemsunnyrajpal (Twitter)

    RT @SciRobotics: Researchers have built an earthworm-like #robot that snaps together with magnets to inspect sub-centimeter engine pipes. @…
    view full post

    May 26, 2022

    4

  • Science Robotics
    @SciRobotics (Twitter)

    Researchers have built an earthworm-like #robot that snaps together with magnets to inspect sub-centimeter engine pipes. @Tsinghua_Uni Link
    view full post

    May 26, 2022

    19

    4

Abstract Synopsis

  • A lightweight, smart material-driven pipeline inspection robot (2.2 grams, 47 mm long) can navigate pipes with diameters less than 10 mm and various shapes.
  • The robot uses advanced elastic actuators as "muscles" and magnets for quick assembly to adapt to different pipeline configurations.
  • It achieved rapid movement in subcentimeter pipes, equipped with a mini camera for inspection, and successfully completed tasks in diverse pipeline environments (e.g., air/oil and multiple materials).