Pragma.IoT participates in the TERRAPIN project

Water preservation is a rising global concern and it seems to be affected by the population growth and the climate changes. It is estimated, that around 30% to 50% of water is lost through the aging underground water distribution system. Considering water plays a vital role in our lives and is essential resource for human life, it is imperative to find efficient approaches for the detection of leaks in water distribution infrastructure to reduce the negative impacts associated with water pipe leaks. As underground water pipe inspection is a very demanding operation that requires additional manpower and excavation of the soil above the pipes, the detection of water leaks in underground water pipelines is a real challenge for the water utility companies.

However, leakage is a highly complex issue and requires continuous actions to be effectively addressed. It is important to develop accurate and cost-effective methods to monitor and assess the condition of these networks in order to select and perform necessary intervention plans to prevent disastrous failures. The collaboration of Pragma-IoT, with 2 other partners, OZZIE Robotics and Hypertech S.A., empowered through EC funding as derived by the RIMA network open calls, introduces the TERRAPIN project, which acts on the development of a novel robotic solution for trenchless water pipe inspection that aims to automate the inspection process and lower the associated costs. The project is complex, but TERRAPIN aims to provide technologies and associated services to water industry sector for improved process efficiency and water leak management.

Pragma-IoT approaches the TERRAPIN project offering 2 different solutions in order to contribute towards the worldwide water leak management problem. To optimize the water leak management, Pragma-IoT develops an AI-based algorithm for detecting leaks in pipes without shutting down the water supply system and also, an AI-based model that enables the detection and analysis of the material ageing of the underground water pipes. Pragma-IoT’s approach aims to solve many of the failure issues of the other technologies that are available in the market, through its easy-to-implement system. Pragma-IoT will take over the commercialization, service, and support of it as a product. According to the business model, Pragma-IoT will provide its products as a loaner system or as a service to potential customers. Pragma-IoT will be responsible for understanding the needs of the customer and providing the appropriate solution based on these needs.