Mouse-sized robot inspired by fusion energy developed by UKAEA and CERN to inspect the Large Hadron Collider

To handle the expansion and contraction caused by these harsh conditions, the LHC contains around 2,000 Plug‑In Modules (PIMs). Over time, small components within these modules—especially thin Radio Frequency (RF) fingers that maintain electrical contact—can bend slightly due to thermal cycling. Even tiny deformations can create obstructions inside the beamline, disrupting experiments and causing costly delays. The difficulty is in accessing these components to check on their integrity in difficult/challenging conditions.

Together, the teams from CERN and RACE developed PipeINEER, a first-of-its-kind, 20‑centimetre-long robot designed to travel autonomously through spaces as narrow as 3.7 by 3.7 centimetres inside the beamline. Unlike existing pipe inspection systems, PipeINEER can navigate up to six kilometres on battery power alone on a single mission – roughly the length of 60 football pitches placed end‑to‑end – while operating in a space only a few centimetres wide. As the robot moves, it captures detailed images of each PIM and uses artificial intelligence trained on real LHC imagery to detect any abnormalities. It is equipped with energy‑efficient systems and multiple safety features that monitor its performance during long autonomous runs.

If the robot detects an issue, it returns to its starting point and reports the exact location of the problem. This targeted approach allows engineers to address specific points along the 27-kilometre collider, without disassembling large sections of pipe and using a manual endoscope – a process that is extremely time-consuming and expensive.

The highly commended PipeINEER robots are in the development stage, with robot performance being tested over 60km of operation later in 2026. Following this testing, final units will be manufactured in late-2026 and CERN operators trained on the new units in early 2027.