Highly advanced drone technology for water pipeline inspections showcased at IFAT

CT2MC is an independent engineering company specialised in the development of innovative robotic products, CT2MC's vocation, since its creation in 2012 by Olivier Le Meaux, is the development and manufacturing of industrial products combining robotics, innovation, composite materials and automation.

To limit its impact on the environment, CT2MC strives to advance the state of manufacturing techniques and develops processes and products that are more environmentally friendly. The use of bio-sourced materials is part of one of these major axes, as is the choice to base production in France to limit consumption and the impact on resources.

CT2MC manufactures robots for pipe inspections - especially in sewerage water applications, as well as developing, prototyping and manufacturing of robots with composite material integration

They also manufacture several ranges of aquatic drones carrying out environmental monitoring and analysis missions, which are available for sale or rent. The SPYBOAT® range consists of aerial propulsion drones, the INN’EAU range is made up of drones with thrust in the water, floats, etc. and the CAN’EAU range, which was developed specifically for inspections of confined spaces (pipes, tanks, etc.).

CT2MC also provide inspection services for surface water or confined spaces using the different products in their range.

The company’s innovation and research and development capabilities have been rewarded by several prizes from ADEME (French Ecological Transition Agency). Recently CT2MC’s project to deploy their aquatic drones received an award within the category of  “Companies committed to the ecological transition”.

At the recent IFAT Exhibition in Munich, CT2MC showcased their CAN’EAU® “Rotating Sonar”. Equipped with high technology, the CAN’EAU® “Rotating Sonar” collects crucial data parameters. This includes inspection of works (ITV): thanks to its 360° camera and several lamps it can make a continuous video recording of the pipe from every angle. In post-processing, the operators can orient themselves in the work as if they were inside it.

Thanks to UWB (Ultra WideBand) positioning beacons the operators of the CAN’EAU®  can situate themselves and monitor at any specific location within the system. This versatile and flexible device will provide a precise profile of sedimentation throughout the entire pipeline structure. CAN’EAU® also monitors for gas and will accurately detect the presence of H2S, CO, O2 and CH4.

Embedded lidar technology makes it possible to create sectional views of the horizontal and vertical pipes, to carry out 2D sections of pipe and subsequently create a summary 3D reconstruction (without texture). Thanks to photogrammetry, CT2MC products model any type of work in 3D, which can be displayed into GIS. The system also provides an overview of pipeline trajectory: on-board technologies enable generating a file X Y Z and georeferenced the work. CT2MC also offer 4 aerial turbines for automatic positioning in driving and visual piloting.