PG&E Developing Robots To Inspect Gas Pipelines
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Pacific Gas & Electric is teaming up with other utility companies across the country to develop robots to enhance gas pipeline safety.
The devices are small enough to be mistaken for toys, but they're designed to do serious work, inspecting pipes that would require serious excavation work to visually inspect.
"Our testing so far shows that this device has the potential to save time and money for many gas companies who have applications for this new inspection technology," said Daphne D'Zurko, executive director of NYSEARCH, one of the companies PG&E is partnering with on the project.
The devices, which roll on tiny magnetic wheels will be used to check PG&E's nearly 2,000 pipelines without excavation.
