Hong Kong Water Expo 2027
Intelligent Pressurised Pipeline Robotic Challenge key visual
Pre-expo event: Intelligent Pressurised Pipeline Robotic Challenge

Intelligent Pressurised Pipeline Robotic Challenge

Smart Inspection, Precise Future — advancing pipeline inspection efficiency and reliability through robotic innovation.

Contest Day

March 2027

Contest Venue

Q-Leak Underground Water Mains Leak Detection Centre, Hong Kong, China

Register NowRules & Regulations

About the Challenge

The Water Supplies Department (WSD) will organise the Intelligent Pressurised Pipeline Robotic Challenge, bringing together research teams and industry representatives from overseas, the Mainland and Hong Kong to promote the exchange and application of tethered pipeline robotics technology. The competition encourages participating teams to integrate mechanical design, acoustic sensing technology and data analysis to continuously improve existing solutions so as to meet the practical needs of detecting water mains in pressurised pipeline environments.

A blind evaluation mechanism will be adopted to assess the leak detection performance of the competing robots and teams in a simulated pressurized water mains environment that closely reflects real operating conditions. Through this competition, the organisers aim to accelerate the practical application of tethered pipeline robotics, further enhance the technology and efficiency of water mains inspection, and help reduce the risk of pipe bursts and leaks.

The competition will also be aligned with Hong Kong Water Expo 2027 to further showcase innovative technologies and promote collaboration, exchange and the development of smart water management.

Tethered Pipeline Robotics

Promoting the exchange and practical application of tethered pipeline robotics technology across overseas, Mainland and local teams.

Blind Evaluation

Leak detection performance assessed in a simulated pressurized water mains environment reflecting real operating conditions.

Smart Water Management

Aligned with Hong Kong Water Expo 2027 to showcase innovation and drive collaboration in smart water development.

Contest Outline

Competition

Intelligent Pressurised Pipeline Robotic Challenge

Organiser

WSD

Collaborative Partner

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Host

Hong Kong Water Expo 2027 Host Organizing Committee

Contest Day

March 2027

Contest Venue

Pipeline Robots Joint Laboratory & Q-Leak Underground Water Mains Leak Detection Centre, 6 Liu To Road, Tsing Yi, New Territories, Hong Kong, China

Venue

Q-Leak Underground Water Mains Leak Detection Centre

The WSD established the Q-Leak Underground Water Mains Leak Detection Centre in Tsing Yi in 2021, with the aim of strengthening research, training and technical exchange in underground water mains leak detection, as well as enhancing the overall management of water leakage across Hong Kong.

The centre provides a training environment that simulates the local complex water supply network, supporting the testing, evaluation and demonstration of leak detection equipment and methods, and offering a training and research platform for WSD staff, industry professionals and academic teams.

Pipeline Robots Joint Laboratory

To promote the development of smart water and the application of innovative technologies, the WSD, together with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, officially established the Pipeline Robots Joint Laboratory at the Q-Leak Underground Water Mains Leak Detection Centre in September 2025.

The Joint Laboratory focuses on the development of intelligent water mains inspection technologies tailored for Hong Kong's local water supply network. In particular, it aims to develop pipeline robots capable of operating inside pressurised water mains, integrating acoustic sensing, high-definition imaging, positioning instruments and artificial intelligence data analysis to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of inspection, and to help identify leaks, cracks and other potential defects.

The establishment of the Q-Leak Underground Water Mains Leak Detection Centre and the Pipeline Robots Joint Laboratory marks an important step forward for the WSD in smart water and innovative pipeline inspection, and will further strengthen water supply safety, inspection efficiency and technology translation capability.

Contest Venue: Pipeline Robots Joint Laboratory & Q-Leak Underground Water Mains Leak Detection Centre, 6 Liu To Road, Tsing Yi, New Territories, Hong Kong, China

Q-Leak Underground Water Mains Leak Detection Centre map

Rules & Regulations

  • This competition is one of the activities of the Hong Kong Water Expo 2027. The competition is designed to promote technical exchange and practical application in pressurized water leak detection using tethered inline robot technology and other supporting survey methods. Participating teams are required to conduct a blind test in a designated pressurized watermain section and submit their findings in accordance with these Rules and Regulations.

The Organising Committee reserves the right to interpret these Rules and Regulations and to make final decisions on all matters relating to the competition. Participants shall comply with all instructions issued by the Organising Committee and referees to ensure a fair, orderly, and safe competition.

Awards

All participating teams will receive a Hong Kong Water Expo 2027 certificate in recognition of the professional competence demonstrated by the team in the field of leak detection robotics, together with two (2) complimentary tickets to the Hong Kong Water Expo Opening Ceremony. The works of participating teams will also be showcased in advertising display boxes at the Hong Kong Water Expo venue.

Awards for Top Three Teams

  • Invitation to present company products on stage at the Awards Ceremony, and a dedicated trophy

Registration Form

Participating teams are requested to complete the form below for the organiser's preliminary assessment of eligibility and suitability for the competition, with particular consideration of applicability in pressurised water supply environments. Further information or clarification may be requested after review of the submission.

Registration deadline: 15 November

Team Information

Technical Submission

The Organising Committee will follow up with submission details after reviewing your registration.

Fields marked with * are required.