Pipe Inspection Robot Market Size, Share, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Wheel In-pipe Inspection Robot, Tracked In-pipe Inspection Robot, and Aerial Drones), By Application (Welding Pipe Robot, Remote Inspection Robot, Scanning System Robot, Thickness Measuring Robot, and Others), By End User (Oil & Gas, Sewer Management, Water Utilities, Industrial Plants, Civil Infrastructure, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

Pipelines are one of the most widely used economic means of transporting gas and liquids such as oil, water, and sewage, among others. Pipes are constantly aging and deteriorating; therefore, regular check is important to prevent or repair damage. Pipelines are usually long and complex structures and in most cases they are buried underground, making it difficult to manually inspect the pipelines. Pipe inspection robots is the cheapest and most reliable way to inspect pipelines. Tubal growth is also suggests that the use of robots is more appropriate.

Robots are designed in different ways factors such as manoeuvrability, stability, and adaptation to different pipeline diameters.  Pipeline inspection robots reduce human intervention, can work in hazardous environments. These robots are designed to navigate through pipelines and perform inspections, reducing the need for manual inspection, which can be time-consuming and costly.

Many countries have aging pipeline infrastructure, leading to a higher demand for inspection and maintenance services. Pipeline inspection robots play a crucial role in assessing the condition of pipelines and identifying potential issues. In addition, growing government investment in the construction of gas pipeline, which subsequently drives the demand for more robots for inspection and maintenance services. For instance, in October 2023, according to Indian Infrastructure Magazine, the Indian government planned to invest around USD 89.30 billion for expanding oil and gas pipeline infrastructure across India. Such an investment will cater positively to the market growth. Moreover, various manufacturers operating in the market are developing products with new technological advancements such as AI, IoT, and related technology, boosting the market growth.

The COVID-19 pandemic severely affected almost every industry. The operation was suspended due to movement restriction. Worldwide, supply networks were blocked. This led to a decline in the production and market demand of in-pipe inspection robots, which limited the growth of the in-pipe inspection robots market. Additionally, all government and private sector funding and concentration shifted to the healthcare sector, limiting market expansion. Many infrastructure projects, including those related to pipeline inspections, were put on hold or delayed as companies and governments redirected resources to address immediate pandemic-related challenges. This impacted the demand for pipe inspection robots. Industries such as oil and gas experienced a decline in the demand during the pandemic, impacting investments in pipeline infrastructure. This shift in priorities affected the market dynamics for pipe inspection robots. All the above aforementioned factors led to a decline in the growth of the market.

Key Insights

The report covers the following key insights:

• Micro Macro Economic Indicators


• Drivers, Restraints, Trends, and Opportunities


• Business Strategies Adopted by Major Players


• Impact of COVID-19 on the Pipe Inspection Robot Market


• Consolidated SWOT Analysis of Key Players

Segmentation

Analysis by Type

Based on type, the market is classified into wheel in-pipe inspection robot, tracked in-pipe inspection robot, and aerial drones.

The market growth is driven by the need for inspecting and maintaining aging pipeline infrastructure in various industries, including oil and gas, water and wastewater, and chemical processing. Industries are increasingly recognizing the importance of preventive maintenance to ensure the longevity and reliability of pipelines. In-pipe inspection robots with wheels play a crucial role in the early detection of issues, preventing costly repairs and minimizing downtime.

The tracked in-pipe inspection robot segment is projected to grow during the forecast period. Tracked robots are often equipped with advanced sensors, cameras, and measurement tools, allowing for detailed inspection of pipeline conditions. This includes structural integrity assessment and corrosion detection.

The adoption of aerial drones for pipe inspection continues to grow and ongoing technological advancements are likely to enhance their capabilities further. Companies in various industries are increasingly incorporating drones into their inspection and maintenance strategies to ensure the reliability and safety of their pipeline infrastructure.

Regional Analysis

The global pipe inspection robot market is divided into five regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and South America.

The Asia Pacific is set to lead the pipe inspection robot market. This is due to the rapid urbanization and infrastructure development projects across the Asia-Pacific region, contributing to the demand for pipeline inspection robots. In addition, growing industrialization and rising government investments in smart city projects, which fuels the demand for pipe inspection robots.

North America is the second largest region operating in the market. North America has an aging pipeline infrastructure, particularly in the oil and gas sector. This has driven the demand for pipe inspection robots to assess the condition of pipelines, detect defects, and ensure compliance with safety standards.

The Europe market is projected to grow during the forecast period due to the presence of an extensive network of cross-border pipelines, necessitating regular inspections for maintenance and safety. Pipe inspection robots are used to ensure the integrity of these pipelines, especially in regions with complex terrain.

The Middle East & Africa and South America markets are anticipated to expand at a moderate rate due to growing investment in pipeline infrastructure and rising industrialization across countries such as Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, and others.

By region, the distribution of the pipe inspection robot market is as follows:

• North America – 30%


• Europe – 26%


• Asia Pacific –35%


• Middle East & Africa – 6%


• South America - 3%

Key Players Covered

Major players in the market include General Electric, Xylem Inc, Maxon, Mini-Cam Ltd, RedZone Robotics, IPS Robot, Eddyfi Technologies, SuperDroid Robots, Inc, IPEK International GmbH, and Honeybee Robotics.  

Key Industry Developments

• February 2023: General Electric introduced new PLUTO system for inspecting and maintenance services for digging, extraction, and cutting which are used to replace old pipes in pipeline infrastructure. This machine has features such as technological advanced product, flexible, and robust.


• March 2021: Geeko Robotics launched a new TOKA Flex inspection robots for industrial plants. It is designed to crawl on small diameter. These types of robots are used in various industries such as power, oil & gas, chemical, and the pulp & paper industry. The robot has AI based camera and the capability to rotate 180 degrees.