Motmot partnered with the City of Adrian Utilities Department to perform an interior inspection of a 30-inch ductile iron clarifier pipe connected to the city’s Water Treatment Plant. The objective of this pilot was to document interior conditions to provide a Risk Assessment Report for maintenance planning. This inspection also demonstrated how Motmot’s inspection workflow can be deployed in a live-treatment-plant environment.  

Using our tethered Autonomous Underwater Robot (AUR), the team accessed the system through a vertical shaft above the clarifier unit. The AUR collected high-illumination video, still imagery, and acoustic data while navigating the pipe’s internal geometry, including a 90-degree turn near the entry point. All media captured was time-synchronized through visual-inertial odometry, providing traceability throughout the inspection run.  

The inspection was conducted in coordination with Adrian Utilities staff to maintain safe operating conditions and ensure accurate location control during the run. Due to the steep downward turn deeper in the system and the operational considerations associated with that geometry, the survey was safely concluded after completing the initial segment.