WatchTower Robotics

Watchtower Robotics provides a pipe management system for early detection, accurate mapping, and actionable maintenance recommendations for pipe leaks in municipal water infrastructure. The company's autonomous soft-bodied robot—approximately the size of a softball—is inserted into water pipes through a hydrant and travels through the pipe network to detect hidden leaks, map pipe conditions, and identify maintenance needs before they become costly emergencies. The technology works in pipes of any material and diameter, enabling utilities to prevent pipe bursts and reduce the trillions of gallons of water lost annually to infrastructure failures. Founded by a MIT PhD, Watchtower won the 2018 James Dyson Award (US) and the 2019 Ray of Hope Prize from the Ray C. Anderson Foundation.