How Poop Drones and AI Are Revolutionizing Sewer Inspections

In December 2016, a sinkhole caused by a collapsed sewer interceptor in Fraser, Michigan, highlighted the critical need for effective sewer inspections. The failure threatened homes and disrupted a major road, costing taxpayers around $75 million for repairs and causing significant community disruption. This incident underscores the importance of regular sewer maintenance to prevent catastrophic infrastructure failures.

Traditional sewer inspections involve tethered crawlers or human entry, which are slow, costly, and hazardous due to confined spaces and toxic gases. These challenges have driven innovation toward using drones designed for subterranean environments, offering safer and more efficient inspection methods.

The Elios 3 drone by Flyability exemplifies this new generation of inspection tools. Its protective cage, high-intensity lighting, 4K camera, and LiDAR enable it to navigate dark, confined sewer pipes while capturing detailed 3D models. Modular payloads like gas sensors and ultrasonic gauges further enhance its diagnostic capabilities.

Using drones reduces manpower and safety risks significantly. For example, inspecting a sewer stretch traditionally requires a team of four with traffic diversions, whereas drones need only two operators without confined space entry. This shift cuts inspection costs by approximately 40% and doubles daily inspection coverage.

Macomb County, Michigan, has embraced this technology by deploying the Asio X drone from Flybotix alongside SewerAI, an AI-powered software that automates defect detection from drone footage. This combination has transformed their inspection process, reducing costs from $1 million every three years to a fraction of that and accelerating analysis turnaround from months to typically under 24 hours.

The Asio X drone is equipped with powerful lighting, 4K video, LiDAR, infrared, and gas sensors, enabling comprehensive data capture even in challenging environments. Skilled operators navigate complex sewer paths, ensuring thorough inspections without human exposure to hazardous conditions.

SewerAI’s AI algorithms excel at identifying defects more accurately than manual coding, allowing Macomb County to prioritize repairs effectively and prevent failures. The software also enables re-analysis of historical data to uncover previously missed issues, enhancing long-term infrastructure management.

This integration of drone technology and AI-driven analysis represents a paradigm shift in sewer maintenance, offering substantial safety improvements, cost savings, and operational efficiency. Macomb County’s pioneering efforts have earned recognition and set a benchmark for other municipalities aiming to modernize their underground infrastructure inspections.

Looking ahead, ongoing advancements in AI and drone capabilities promise further enhancements in inspection accuracy and automation. Infrastructure managers should stay alert to emerging technologies that can drive even greater efficiencies and risk mitigation in sewer system maintenance.