Snake Robot for Industrial Pipe Inspection

Sandesh Kakasaheb Gorde, Vaibhav Dattatray Kate, Somnath Dnyandev Borge, Rushikesh Pramod Pandit, Prof. Z. A. Shaikh

Department Of Mechanical Engineering, SYCET College of Engineering & Technology, Chh. Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, India
Emails: Saandesh1717@gmail.com, vaibhavkate06@gmail.com, Somnathborge07@gmail.com, rushipandit9766@gmail.com

Abstract - Industrial pipelines are widely used in sectors such as oil and gas, chemical industries, water treatment plants, power stations, and sewage systems for the transportation of liquids and gases. Continuous operation of these pipelines often leads to problems such as corrosion, cracks, leakage, sedimentation, and blockage. Traditional inspection methods involve manual labour, CCTV cameras, or dismantling sections of pipelines, which are expensive, time-consuming, and risky in hazardous environments. To overcome these limitations, this research paper presents the design and development of a snake robot for industrial pipe inspection. The robot is inspired by the locomotion of biological snakes and is designed to navigate narrow and curved pipelines efficiently. The proposed system uses an ESP32 microcontroller, DC gear motors, servo motor, LED illumination, and a camera module to provide real-time monitoring and inspection. The robot can identify cracks, blockages, and internal structural defects without requiring human entry into confined spaces. Experimental testing inside different pipe diameters demonstrated the robot’s capability to perform inspection tasks effectively. The results show that the developed robot can improve industrial safety, reduce maintenance cost, and increase inspection efficiency. The research also discusses future improvements such as artificial intelligence, autonomous navigation, advanced sensors, and wireless communication systems.

Key Words: Snake Robot, Pipe Inspection, ESP32, Industrial Automation, Robotics, Embedded Systems, Surveillance Robot.