Identifying Roof Leaks Using Robotics Automation

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) identifies roof damage using manual, imprecise, and dangerous practices. Airmen visually assess roofs for damage or water ingress after major incidents or when damage already occurred.  A leak could spread and cause a roof collapse, and infrastructure teams would not know until it is too late. To inspect and repair leaks, Airmen climb ladders or walk on roofs and risk falls and injury. Because of manpower constraints and the number of buildings on bases, there is no way for the Air Force to practically inspect all buildings for leaks, putting their structures, Airmen, and aircraft in danger of sudden roof collapses.  aRobotics Company (aRoboticsCo) proposes to modify and adapt its Detect-R lean inspection robots to enable the Air Force to accelerate its leak identification and repair activities and enables safer, structurally sound buildings. aRoboticsCo’s Detect-R robot solves leaks more accurately and at lower cost than standard manual approaches. The robot is deployed on a structure and uses infrared imaging over several weeks  to identify roof or wall leaks proactively. The robot monitors water traces with unprecedented clarity, even before they are visible, so that maintenance teams can proactively address building damage before it spreads and causes broader structural collapse. aRoboticsCo will perform an R/R&D feasibility study to modify and enhance the Detect-R robot to operate in extreme wind and sustained cold conditions, develop custom roof tracks, and develop new configurations for horizontal structures typical of DAF installations.  aRoboticsCo designs, manufactures, and operates a range of robotic systems that perform work on the interiors and exteriors of large and/or significant structures (skyscrapers, historical buildings, bridges, tunnels, etc.). We specialize in machines that optimize regulatory inspections, structural analysis, leak tracing, cleaning, and repair. Our operations and devices are certified appropriately (e.g. radar scanning meets stability and frequency standards), per ASME requirements. We have supported the Empire State Building, the Pendry Hotel, and One Grand Central Place in New York City. aRoboticsCo won the New York City Department of Buildings Innovation Challenge, outperforming approximately 100 well-established engineering firms.  Our robots complete jobs upto 30% faster and upto 45% cheaper than traditional methods while freeing up crucial manpower.