PIPEON Survey for Utilities

PIPEON Survey for Utilities
Welcome, and thank you for contributing to the PIPEON project!

PIPEON (Robotics and AI for Sewer Pipe Inspection and Maintenance) is an EU

funded research and innovation project that aims to develop autonomous robotic

solutions for sewer systems. These technologies are designed to enhance safety,

reliability, and efficiency in sewer inspection, cleaning, and maintenance.

This survey is part of Task 1.1 of the PIPEON project, which focuses on understanding user

requirements and establishing shared definitions. Your responses, especially as a

utility managing sewer systems, are crucial to ensure that the technologies

developed meet real-world needs and can be effectively implemented across

Europe.

Contributors to this survey will be actively involved in the co-creation process of

the project. Dedicated workshops and seminars will be organized to put our feet

on the ground and to connect PIPEON’s research and innovation activities with

real-life environments, operational needs, and user expectations. These

interactions will also help ensure a smooth transfer of the developed solutions from

the laboratory to the field.

The survey takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. Your input will directly

influence the design and relevance of the solutions we co-create. We thank you

for your time and insights. F

Your practical experience is essential for shaping relevant robotic solutions and

you can help PIPEON addressing the realities of sewer maintenance and

inspection. or any further information about the PIPEON project and this questionnaire please write to aip-implementation@watereurope.eu
Section 1: Background and context
1.1. Organisation Information
Types of sewer infrastructure:

Other
Please specify if other
Please provide estimated length in km
1.2. Contact information
Technical decision-maker ?
Strategic decision-maker ?
Section 2: Current practices and challenges

Your practical experience is essential for shaping relevant robotic solutions. Please share the challenges you face today to help PIPEON to address the realities of sewer maintenance and inspection through robotics solutions.
2.1 Inspection and maintenance
What % of your network is inspected annually?
What methods do you currently use for inspection? (e.g., CCTV, crawler robots, manual inspection)
What methods do you currently use for maintenance? (e.g., flushing, mechanical rodding and manual cleaning, chemical treatment)
What are the top 3 challenges in sewer inspection and maintenance you currently experience?
2.2 Common issues

Frequency of the following (scale 1–5, 1=Rarely, 5=Very Frequently), please specify if for inspection and/or maintenance.

Rows	Frequency (1-5)	Inspection	Maintenance
Blockages
Fatbergs
Sediments
Roots
Debris
Foreign Objects
Collapsed pipes

Rows	Frequency (1-5)	Inspection	Maintenance
Structural defects
Pipe deformation
Pipe joint displacement
Pipe fractures and splitting
Pipe wall corrosion/material degradation
Pipe erosion and abrasion
Exfiltration
Pipe misalignment
Infiltration/inflow
Root intrusion damage
Manhole deterioration
Other

Please specify if other
Section 3: Requirements for Robotic Systems

In this section, we ask about your expectations for robotic systems. Understanding your functional and operational needs will support the higher-level design of relevant and usable technologies.
3.1. Functional requirements
Which tasks would you expect an autonomous robot to perform?

Other
Please specify if other
Rate the importance of the following :
Ability to navigate in confined spaces

1

2

3

4

5

1 is Less important, 5 is Most important
Ability to map sewer pipes and networks to a high resolution

1

2

3

4

5

1 is Less importan, 5 is Most important
Operate in submerged/semi-submerged conditions

1

2

3

4

5

1 is Less importan, 5 is Most important
Detect and classify a range of defects autonomously

1

2

3

4

5

1 is Less importan, 5 is Most important
Remove different types of blockages

1

2

3

4

5

1 is Less importan, 5 is Most important
Install monitoring equipment autonomously

1

2

3

4

5

1 is Less importan, 5 is Most important
Operate without tethering

1

2

3

4

5

1 is Less importan, 5 is Most important
Collect water samples

1

2

3

4

5

1 is Less importan, 5 is Most important
Functioning as a moving sensor, providing measurements on parameters such as water level, velocity, and temperature

1

2

3

4

5

1 is Less importan, 5 is Most important
3.2. Operational Requirements
Preferred inspection range per deployment (e.g., 200 m, 1km):
Max. acceptable inspection duration (e.g., up to 1 day, 1 week):
Data format preferences (video, defect codes, 3D maps, etc.):
Integration with existing data management systems (asset database, GIS)
Section 4: Technical, regulatory, and economic aspects

Robotic technologies need to fit into existing standards, risk frameworks, and cost structures. Your input here will help us align innovation with practical and regulatory expectations.
4.1. Data and standards
Do you use standard defect coding systems (e.g., EN 13508-2)?
Would you support adoption of a common European coding system for defects?
4.2. Risk and Reliability
What are your main concerns regarding robotics in sewers?

Other
Please specify if other
4.3. Cost Considerations
How do you currently allocate costs between inspection and repair? (% spent oninspection):
What percentage of the overall operational budget is spent on sewer inspection/maintenance/rehabilitation (Repair) %
What is the average pipe inspection cost of 1m of sewer?:
Would robotic systems be more attractive if they reduced:

Other
Please specify if other
Section 5: Future Vision

Looking ahead, your perspective will guide how PIPEON evolves. We want to understand your interest in innovation, digitalisation, and how we can work together to test and implement new solutions
5.1. Strategic interest
Are you planning investments in digital/robotic solutions in the next 3 years?
5.2. Collaboration opportunities
Would you be open to co-design, pilot testing, or contributing feedback?
Please specify conditions
Section 6: Social and workforce aspects

The shift to robotic systems may have social and workforce implications. Your insights into worker safety, job roles, and potential impacts of automation will help ensure that the solutions we develop are both effective and socially responsible.
How often do your operational teams encounter hazardous or high-risk conditions during sewer inspections?
To what extent would robotic solutions help reduce the exposure of your staff to dangerous environments?
To what extent do you foresee changes to your workforce (e.g., job roles, staffing needs) if robotic systems are adopted?
How much support or training do you think would be needed to help your operational staff transition to using/working with robotic technologies (e.g., reskilling programmes)?
To what extent are there concerns within your organization about job displacement or worker resistance if robots were deployed in place of human workers?
To what extent do you think the introduction of robotics could make sewer inspection jobs more accessible or attractive (e.g., to women, older workers)?
Do you believe that regular sewer inspection and maintenance work has long-term impacts on workers’ physical health (e.g., musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory issues, exposure to hazardous substances)?
How open do you think your operational staff are to adopting new technologies or changing established work routines?
When introducing technologies like robotics, to what extent do you think the mindset of staff (e.g., openness, willingness to engage) influences successful implementation?
How much do you think the introduction of robotic technologies in operational tasks will affect the physical well-being of your staff (e.g., reducing physical strain, injury prevention or potential physical risks)?
How much do you think the transition to robotic technologies in the workplace will affect the mental well-being of your staff (e.g., stress, job satisfaction, feelings of security or potential concerns)?
Section 7: final comments
What would make robotic sewer maintenance a “must-have” for your organisation?
Should be Empty:

PIPEON Survey for Utilities

Section 1: Background and context

1.1. Organisation Information

1.2. Contact information

Section 2: Current practices and challenges

2.1 Inspection and maintenance

2.2 Common issues

Section 3: Requirements for Robotic Systems

3.1. Functional requirements

3.2. Operational Requirements

Section 4: Technical, regulatory, and economic aspects

4.1. Data and standards

4.2. Risk and Reliability

4.3. Cost Considerations

Section 5: Future Vision

5.1. Strategic interest

5.2. Collaboration opportunities

Section 6: Social and workforce aspects

Section 7: final comments