Charged with maintaining critical infrastructure in Horsham Township, Public Works Director Dennis Haggerty wanted a cost-effective and flexible option to examine stormwater pipes, which helps prevent flooding and erosion.
“We hired outside contractors in the past, but it’s expensive,” he said. “We borrowed a camera, but it wasn’t ideal.”
He realized that a custom video inspection robot wouldn’t just wash up in his office so when he learned Abington students earn degrees from the Penn State College of Engineering, he contacted a faculty member with a proposal.
“I thought this could be good for everyone. We form a partnership with Abington students who get to test their skills in real life situations, and we get the video robot.” — Dennis Haggerty, Horsham Township
Penn State Abington general engineering majors developed the mobile video robot at the request of Horsham Township to inspect storm water pipes. This field test demonstrates some of its capabilities.
Bob Avanzato, associate professor of engineering, called Stormbot perfect for his senior robot design course in the general engineering multidisciplinary engineering design (MDE) option.
Haggerty provided them with data, videos, images, and samples of piping material. The students kept in close contact with their client as they developed a robot to meet the township’s requirements — just as they will once they graduate.
Haggerty's requirements included:
“It was exciting for the students to see concepts from classes come together.” — Robert Avanzato, associate professor of engineering
Senior Cara Fiala and other students from Abington and Penn State Brandywine spend their final four semesters in the new general engineering facility at Penn State Great Valley. They also must complete an internship.
Finally, it was time for the field test. Haggerty and township workers released the robot into two residential storm pipes while Avanzato and senior Charles Liggett guided them, ready to troubleshoot.
As expected, Stormbot steered clear of debris and maneuvered around obstacles including bricks and a toy rocket. The LED lighting supported the video quality and highlighted areas workers wanted to explore further.
“The results were very positive, and the Horsham people were very pleased with the results," Avanzato said. "We had some minor issues, but in each case, the robot moved between 100 and 150 feet within the pipe.”
“It’s a working prototype and will be brought up to industry-ready conditions,” — Charles Liggett, senior general engineering major
Charles Liggett, a Penn State Abington senior in the multidisciplinary engineering program, and Horsham Public Works Director Dennis Haggerty review the Stormbot video on the console at the field test.
Several weeks later, Avanzato and his students sat in the audience while Haggerty presented the near-final version of the robot to the Horsham Township Council.
“The quality is high for post-processing the video and analyzing snapshots,” Haggerty told council members who supported the results and the partnership with Abington.
In the end, Haggerty said he was glad he didn’t follow his first impulse — attaching a GoPro to his son’s remote control car and letting it loose in the pipes.
“The Penn State students built something amazing. The results are valuable and useful and so is the relationship." — Dennis Haggerty, Horsham Township
Horsham Township official Dennis Haggerty holds Stormbot, which Penn State Abington and Brandywine senior engineering students developed with guidance from Bob Avanzato, associate professor of engineering (right).
Engineering Club president Ellie Seber comments on the experience of an out-of-the-classroom team project which took them to a University Park competition.
