Busan City Uses AI Robots to Inspect Sewage Pipes, Preventing Ground Subsidence

Busan City will inspect the internal condition of sewage pipes using AI robots. This project has secured government funding after being selected for the '2026 Local Government Disaster Prevention Activity Support Project' public offering and is designed to prevent ground subsidence risks stemming from urban underground development and aging sewage pipes. The project will run for five months from August to December 2026, with a total investment of 125 million KRW. Semi-autonomous robots equipped with multiple sensors, including high-definition cameras and 3D laser scanners, will be deployed inside sewage pipes to identify structural defects and safety hazards without human intervention.

Data collected by the robots will be analyzed by a deep learning-based AI system, which will automatically classify six major defect types—cracks, damage, leaks, subsidence, tree root intrusion, and sediment buildup—and assess their severity to select sections requiring repair. This smart detection system aims to lower the possibility of social disasters like ground subsidence by diagnosing sewage pipe defects early. It will ensure citizen safety through prioritized repairs based on the risk level of each pipe and is expected to reduce long-term property damage. The city plans to enhance underground safety management levels across Busan, thereby creating a smart, safe city. Kim Ki-hwan, Director of Busan City's Citizen Safety Division, stated that deploying advanced robots and artificial intelligence in underground spaces that are difficult for personnel to access will significantly improve the safety and accuracy of sewage pipe inspections.