Bridges, tunnels and other infrastructure need regular inspection, which can be slow, costly and risky when it means closing lanes or sending people to awkward heights. Robots and drones carry cameras and sensors to survey these structures, capturing detailed, repeatable records of their condition.
Consistent data over time helps engineers spot developing problems such as cracks or corrosion and prioritise repairs before they become dangerous. The robots gather information rather than making the final judgement, which skilled engineers provide, and access and data handling take planning, but they make thorough inspection safer and more frequent than relying on manual surveys alone.