'Iguana' robot to help with dangerous sewer inspection

Tamil Murasu, ‘Iguana’ robot to help with dangerous sewer inspection

(Translated title and summary)

To reduce risks to workers during sewer inspections, the Singapore University of Technology and Design developed Iguana, a compact inspection robot created by a team led by Professor Mohan Rajesh Elara.

Iguana streams real-time visuals from underground environments, removing the need for workers to enter hazardous spaces—an important advancement given PUB, Singapore’s national water agency, manages an extensive sewer network that requires regular inspection.

Designed to navigate narrow and complex pipelines, Iguana can travel up to 120 metres, surpassing the limitations of conventional CCTV systems. Professor Mohan notes that beyond improving worker safety, Iguana also reflects Singapore’s broader push towards technology-driven approaches in managing operational hazards.