Remote-controlled machine tapped for drainage inspection in Cebu

The latest innovation in Cebu aims to conduct drainage inspections through remote control and with the help of artificial intelligence. 

Meet DraCrawla, a drainage crawler developed by the Cebu Institute of Technology - University with the support of the Department of Science and Technology and the local government of Mandaue City.

According to CITU project leader Rachel Chong, drainage inspections are still done manually, which puts human inspectors at risk.

“Minsan may hazardous gases sa ilalim. Dangerous siya sa tao na pupunta doon,” she added. 

(Sometimes there are hazardous gases underneath, so it is dangerous for anyone who will go down there.) 

DraCawla is equipped with a camera, which it uses to take pictures of the drainage system. The photos are then processed using AI to detect any cracks or clogs.

It also uses sensors to get the size and shape of the drainage for drainage mapping. 

DraCrawla is connected to a wire and can go as far as 100 meters while being tracked by GPS. 

Chong said that inspections and maintenance of drainage systems should be done before the rainy season. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/VBL, GMA Integrated News