Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Dae-Kwang Kim is a leading researcher in the field of robotic pipeline inspection, with a primary focus on the development of advanced in-line inspection (ILI) systems for natural gas infrastructure. His work addresses the critical challenge of inspecting "unpiggable" pipelines—those that cannot be serviced by conventional inspection tools due to size, flow, or accessibility constraints. Kim’s major contributions include the design of a pioneering MFL (Magnetic Flux Leakage) system for the KOGAS-funded “PIBOT” robot, enabling reliable detection of defects in 16” to 14” pipelines. He has also advanced RFECT (Remote Field Eddy Current) technology, incorporating parallel lock-in amplifiers to enhance sensor extendibility and signal accuracy. His most cited work, “Development of MFL system for in-pipe robot for unpiggable natural gas pipelines” (2013, 11 citations), laid the foundation for subsequent innovations, including a digital twin model for low-pressure, low-flow systems (2024). With a cumulative impact of nearly 30 citations, Kim’s research directly supports safer, more efficient gas pipeline maintenance, and his contributions to robotic inspection are instrumental in reducing operational risks and costs in the energy sector.