# SBIR Fast-Track: PIPELINE - Precision Inspection of Pressurized Environments using Long-term, Intelligent Navigation and Evaluation

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · MOTMOT, INC. (MI) · $1,555,000

## Abstract

The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will be to support more effective and accessible inspection of public drinking water infrastructure. Many water utilities across the United States struggle to monitor the condition of buried pipelines due to high inspection costs, aging systems, and the operational difficulty of accessing live, pressurized water mains. This project will develop and test a robotic inspection method that can move through water main without requiring shutdowns or excavation. The robot will collect sensor data including video, and location data that can help identify leaks, damage, and areas at risk of failure. By making detailed inspection data easier to obtain and interpret, the project will assist public utilities to plan repairs more efficiently, reduce water loss, and extend the lifespan of existing infrastructure. This work will contribute to national efforts to modernize aging public works and improve the resilience and sustainability of drinking water systems. 


This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop a fully autonomous, untethered robotic system capable of long-duration inspection within pressurized drinking water pipelines. The high-risk element of this work lies in enabling in-pipe navigation, localization, and defect detection in environments that are highly constrained, without reliance on real-time communication or human intervention. The core innovation involves

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2528271
- **Awardee organization:** MOTMOT, INC. (MI)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** PXTNAN2FKZ83
- **PI:** Elliot R Smith
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** ROBOTICS
- **Estimated total:** $1,555,000
- **Funds obligated:** $1,555,000
- **Transaction type:** Cooperative Agreement
- **Period:** 08/15/2025 → 07/31/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2528271

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2528271, SBIR Fast-Track: PIPELINE - Precision Inspection of Pressurized Environments using Long-term, Intelligent Navigation and Evaluation. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-06 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2528271. Licensed CC0.

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