When it comes to inspecting underground pipes and networks, the quality of the tools used has a direct influence on the accuracy of the diagnosis and on operator safety. Traditionally, ITV trucks have been the equipment of choice for televisual inspections. But with the emergence of new, more mobile and autonomous solutions such as the Roview2developed by Multinnovindustry professionals are reconsidering their practices.
The aim of this comparison is to highlight the respective strengths of these two approaches, while identifying the decisive criteria for choosing the equipment best suited to field constraints. In a context where inspections need to be fast, accurate and safe, the Roview2 robot is a key player in the transformation of the ITV business.
Understanding the role of ITV inspection carts and Roview2
The ITV cart: a reliable but limited classic
The ITV (Inspection Télévisuelle des réseaux ) cart is a camera-equipped, wire-guided rolling robot used to scan large-diameter pipes. It enables the internal condition of pipes to be visualized, and cracks, roots, deposits and other structural anomalies to be detected. This system is still widely used today by local authorities and inspection contractors.
However, its operation depends on specific conditions:
- Requires a horizontal network with few obstacles,
- Not suitable for use in flooded pipes,
- Highly dependent on cable quality and range,
- Quite heavy to transport and deploy,
- Not suitable for complex or steeply sloping areas.
Roview2: the evolution towards intelligent mobility
The Roview2 is a wireless inspection robot designed for use in confined or hard-to-reach environments. It features a 4K camera on a 360°/180° motorized turret, powerful LED lighting (up to 12,000 lumens), and can operate in partially filled pipes, vertical structures or even flooded areas.
Its freedom of movement, buoyancy and wireless capability make it a particularly versatile tool. It is not intended to replace all ITV forklifts, but to intervene where the latter reach their limits.
The benefits of Roview2 inspection
Mobility and adaptability
The Roview2 is capable of moving in tortuous, vertical or unstable environments, where an ITV forklift would be blocked. Thanks to its omnidirectional wheels, traversing capability and gyroscopic balance, it can :
- climb inclines of up to 45° (and 60° forwards/backwards),
- overcome internal obstacles,
- remain stable even in the presence of turbulence or stagnant water.
Buoyancy and watertightness
Unlike ITV carts, which only operate in dry or very slightly damp conditions, the Roview2 can be used in partially or fully submerged pipes. It is watertight and can float on the surface of the water, making it easy to inspect structures under load.
Wireless transmission and autonomy
The system is based on a secure two-way radio link, which transmits video in real time up to several hundred meters away. Autonomy lasts up to 8 hours (2 hours in intensive use with LED lighting), reducing the need for manual intervention.
This eliminates the need for towed cables, reduces the risk of jamming, and considerably speeds up field installation.
Image quality and telemetry
Equipped with a stabilized 4K camera, the Roview2 delivers sharp images, even in low light, and enables fine analysis of internal defects. Its swiveling turret and telemetry sensors make it easy to identify cracks, connection faults or structural anomalies, with accuracy equivalent to or even better than that of an ITV cart.
Compact and quick to deploy
Weighing just 4 kg, the Roview2 is easy to transport in a simple case, making it ideal for urgent interventions or in hard-to-reach areas (industrial zones, isolated manholes, chemical or radiological risk zones).
Key criteria for choosing between the ITV cart and the Roview2
Network dimensions and configuration
- ITV cart: best suited to linear, large-diameter (>300 mm), obstacle-free networks.
- Roview2: more versatile for complex, partially flooded or vertical pipes.
Types of anomalies sought
- The ITV cart is ideal for lengthy structural inspections on known segments.
- The Roview2, with its mobile camera and wider viewing angles, enables more flexible analysis, especially in areas where straight truck alignment would be a hindrance.
Operational constraints
- Inspections in hazardous or confined environments (chemicals, explosive atmospheres, etc.) more than justify the use of a lightweight, wireless robot like the Roview2.
- The Roview2's implementation time, ease of transport and ability to react quickly to an incident are also in its favor.
Cost and profitability
Although the initial investment in the Roview2 may seem a bigger investment, its speed of deployment, low maintenance requirements and versatility make it an economically relevant choice in the medium term, especially if you want to pool the tool across several types of inspection.
The choice between the ITV inspection cart and the Roview2 is not simply a matter of technological opposition. Rather, it's a question of identifying the nature of the networks to be inspected, the constraints in the field, and the objectives of the intervention.
The ITV truck remains a safe bet for long-distance linear inspections in controlled environments. However, in confined, vertical, damp or unstable areas, Multinnov'sRoview2 offers a modern, more agile and efficient alternative, without compromising on inspection quality.
Thanks to its innovations, exceptional mobility and ability to adapt to challenges in the field, the Roview2 redefines the standards forvisual inspection of underground and industrial networks. An essential tool for all professionals seeking performance, safety and technological autonomy.
