WSD Taps Into High-tech Solutions

With the Government driving innovation across departments to boost efficiency, step forward “Intelligent Arm”, a multifunctional welding robot developed by the Water Supplies Department (WSD), which recently won a Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva.

The robot’s remarkable capabilities allow it to perform precision welding inside water pipes, reducing the need for human workers to operate in such confined and hazardous spaces.

WSD Senior Engineer John Louie said Intelligent Arm offers three key advantages: high precision, enabling work at any position; high efficiency, allowing for prolonged operations and unhindered progress; and improved safety, as the robot can function in difficult, hazardous positions that typically expose welders to adverse conditions.

Working smarter

Intelligent Arm truly lightens the department’s workload – just like another piece of equipment known as “Smart Drone”.

WSD Mechanical Engineer David Ling explained that the drone is equipped with a satellite system for precise sampling, with routes and sampling points able to be pre‑planned before flight. Its water‑sampling container can descend to water surfaces to collect samples, making the process much faster than traditional boat-based methods.

It also carries a high‑resolution visual camera and an infrared camera for routine reservoir inspections, significantly improving efficiency and safety.

Six-legged friend

To safeguard facility security, meanwhile, the WSD has introduced the six-legged “Smart Inspection Robot Dog”.

“Six legs are more stable, by what we observed when it is going across high hills or going up stairs,” remarked WSD Electrical Engineer Anthony Kwan. “The performance is much better than four legs.”

The robot dog carries a high‑definition camera that flags abnormalities to the control room, and a gas detector that identifies hazardous gases, allowing staff to keep away from dangerous areas during inspections.