Seoul develops AI system to analyze underground pipes

Social Affairs

Published: 08 Sep. 2022, 10:52

Seoul develops AI system to analyze underground pipes

Footage of underground pipes will be analyzed by a newly-developed artificial intelligence program created by the Seoul Digital Foundation for any leaks or signs of clogging.[SEOUL DIGITAL FOUNDATION]

The Seoul city government on Wednesday introduced a new artificial intelligence program that can spot clogged-up or broken underground pipes faster than exisiting methods to assist with rain-related disaster prevention.

The system, developed by Seoul Digital Foundation, a city-supported think tank, is an AI program that can analyze CCTV footage of underground pipes that are too small for in-person inspections.

The city government says it regularly sends in robots with cameras attached to inspect underground pipes that are too small for humans to access.

This footage is then inspected by an expert for any signs of leaks or blockage caused by chemical waste or tree roots.

“Given the length of these pipes at some 10,000 kilometers (6,210 miles), however, it can take a long time for the experts to analyze the footage,” a researcher at Seoul Digital Foundation told the Korea JoongAng Daily on Wednesday.

The AI program is supposed to speed up that process, and will be available to any local district office in the city government to apply for this month, said the city government.

An area in southern Seoul under torrential rain on Aug. 7. [MICHAEL LEE]

The same program can also be used to analyze CCTV footage at construction sites, the city said, to detect any workers breaking regulations by not wearing a helmet on site, or to detect any signs of a worker who has fallen ill on site by appearing motionless for a prolonged period of time.

After detecting such issues, the program will send a warning message to the administration operating the site.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government on the same day also announced a plan to help the elderly population in the city adapt to rapid digitization.

As part of a series of programs it intends to run from 2023, the city will hire 150 IT experts aged over 54 to run classes on basic use of smart phones, kiosks and the internet for elderly residents. The city said it decided to hire experts aged over 54 because they wanted to minimize the generational gaps between teachers and students.

“The Seoul Digital Foundation will continue to actively showcase various digital innovation achievements that Seoul citizens can experience tangibly and visibly,” said Kang Yo-shik, director of the foundation, in a statement Wednesday.

BY ESTHER CHUNG [chung.juhee@joongang.co.kr]