Gas network operator SGN is planning field trials this year of an autonomous robot that can carry out excavation of buried pipelines and other assets.

“Because we operate 76,000km of underground pipelines in the UK and dig thousands of excavations every year, we recognise the need for smarter roadworks. We’re leading the effort to change utility excavation by investing in the development of technology to address this global problem,” said John Richardson, head of innovation at SGN.

The Robotic Roadworks and Excavation System (RRES)  combines an industrial robot, an all-electric track drive system, below-ground locating sensors, artificial intelligence, machine vision and new vacuum excavation methods. The collaborative project between SGN and ULC Robotics of the US aims to reduce accidental damages to buried infrastructure, minimise carbon emissions and improve the safety and speed of utility excavation and construction. It will be further developed using innovation funding streams overseen by Ofgem.

“We are at the midway point of the project and in partnership with SGN we have been able to create the world’s first functional all-electric autonomous excavation robot,” said Ali Asmari, program manager at ULC Robotics.

The RRES is currently conducting autonomous operations, including cutting of the road surface and performing a patented vacuum excavation method.