The Hong Kong Government’s Electrical & Mechanical Services Department is to use drones to monitor the integrity of gas pipes.
The "Flight Pipeline Inspector" will check pipes on slopes, bridges and other hard-to-reach locations.
The remote-controlled drone is fitted with a camera and gas detector, the department said.
It was developed by Towngas, a Hong Kong public utility.
The department has also created a new database to keep track of the progress of works conducted near pipes.
Alice Ng, a department engineer, said the database helps identify higher-risk projects by looking at the number of incidents involving accidental damage to gas pipes, so safety measures can be taken.
Flying drones are catching on around the world as surveying and inspecting tools.
Earlier this year Bechtel got clearance from the US Federal Aviation Authority to use drones to monitor construction progress.
Drones are also being developed in Germany to inspect tall structures.
Images via The Hong Kong Government’s Electrical & Mechanical Services Department
