Development of Dam Inspection Underwater Robot

Abstract

The maintenances of social infrastructures such as dams and bridges are important subjects. The older the infrastructure becomes, the more need there is for effective inspection methods. In the inspection of the underwater dam structure, divers can be used, but the inspection result is insufficient. We developed an underwater inspection robot for use not only with dams, but in bridges, etc. It can do video capture, indirect measurement using a laser, depth and heading keeping as well as having other functions too. The underwater inspection robot was tested in an actual dam inspection where it showed its’ effectiveness.