#Japan #Kobe #Liberaware #IBIS2 #Kobe City

Advancements in Sewer Management: Kobe's Use of IBIS2

Kobe City, known for its extensive sewer infrastructure, recently conducted a remarkable inspection of its sewer pipes utilizing the cutting-edge IBIS2 technology developed by Liberaware. This pivotal inspection spanned approximately 600 meters, demonstrating the increasing role of technological innovation in public utilities management. This success follows previous operations, including a significant inspection in Kitakyushu City scheduled for May 30, 2025, further solidifying the reliability of the IBIS2 system.

The Challenge of Aging Infrastructure

According to Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the total length of sewer pipes in the country reached approximately 500,000 kilometers by the end of 2023. Alarmingly, about 7% of these pipes, equating to around 40,000 kilometers, exceed their standard lifespan of 50 years. Projections indicate that this figure could swell to around 42%—approximately 210,000 kilometers—within the next 20 years. Recently, an incident in Yashio City was attributed to road subsidence due to damaged sewer pipes, prompting the Ministry to call for urgent inspections across multiple regions.

Kobe City had already been proactive with visual and camera inspections prior to the incidents mentioned. However, the presence of hazardous gases like hydrogen sulfide and locations with significant water flow presented challenges that necessitated a revised approach. This led to the adoption of drone technology for inspections, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.

Collaborative Inspection Efforts

The inspection was a collaboration between several parties: Kobe City as the client, Daiko Road Management as the partner facilitating the inspection process, and Liberaware, the contractor responsible for the drone operations. This strong partnership was crucial in addressing the existing challenges faced in the inspection of aging sewer pipes.

The drone operated in challenging conditions, flying through sewer pipes with diameters of 1,800 mm and water levels around 50 cm. During this operation, the system recorded several videos, enabling extensive analysis of the infrastructure without the need for direct human intervention. Even under rainy conditions, the team managed to successfully capture video data over 600 meters in just one day.

Results and Future Prospects

The findings from this inspection, which will lead to a better understanding of abnormalities within the sewer system, aim to create a standardized inspection model employing IBIS2 technology. Leveraging previous data gathered from traditional methods, the project will refine criteria for abnormal identification, enhancing the overall inspection framework.

The visual content derived from IBIS2 operations in Kobe aims to offer actionable insights to the city, especially in the pursuit of refining maintenance techniques for aging sewer infrastructure.

In addition to Kobe City, Liberaware’s IBIS2 technology has been utilized in multiple locations, laying the groundwork for a standard operational model for sewer inspections across Japan. As municipal governments grapple with maintaining aging infrastructure, the ability of IBIS2 to enhance safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness presents a timely solution to an urgent challenge in public works.

As more instances of sewer inspections using this drone technology accumulate, it is anticipated that the operational workflows, accuracy, and reproducibility of IBIS inspections will be evaluated more thoroughly, leading to the establishment of guidelines and standardization in applying drone technology for infrastructure assessments.

Liberaware continues to view this expansion as a significant growth opportunity, focusing on continuous improvements in both hardware and software aspects while strengthening partnerships with municipalities and service providers.

In summary, although the financial impacts of this round of inspections on Liberaware's FY2025 performance are expected to be minimal, the company commits to promptly disclosing any pertinent information as it arises.

About Liberaware

Liberaware is driven by its mission to create a safe society for all. Specializing in the inspection and measurement of confined spaces, its cutting-edge, compact drones are designed for indoor use, collecting image data crucial for infrastructure management. By employing this technology to visualize hidden risks, Liberaware is dedicated to fostering safer and more secure communities.

• - Company Name: Liberaware Inc.
• - CEO: Min Hong-kyu
• - Headquarters: Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
• - Founded: August 22, 2016
• - Services: Drone inspection services, digital twin technology, and comprehensive development solutions.
• - Website: Liberaware
• - Twitter: Liberaware on X