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Bridges are a vital part of our transportation systems, connecting cities and enabling the flow of goods and people. However, as these structures age, they face a common threat: corrosion. This damage is often caused by de-icing salts, carbon dioxide from the air, and water seeping into tiny cracks. While corrosion can be extremely dangerous and even lead to bridge collapses, it typically only becomes visible at an advanced stage—making repairs costly and urgent. What if there was a way to detect this issue before it's too late? Well, there actually is—and it's been around for over 25 years.
The traditional method involves a device with an electrode attached to a wheel that's rolled across reinforced concrete surfaces. As it moves, it measures the potential difference in the concrete, which can indicate early signs of steel rebar corrosion. The problem with this approach is that it's manual and limited in reach, leaving hard-to-access areas like bridge pillars or the undersides of high bridges untouched.
To address this, a team from Switzerland’s Institute for Building Materials collaborated with the Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems. Their mission was to create a robot capable of detecting corrosion in all parts of a bridge, especially those that are difficult for humans to reach. The result was "C2D2," short for Climbing Corrosion Detective Device. Originally called "Paraswift" and designed for Disney to capture unique camera angles, C2D2 now serves a much more critical purpose.
Equipped with Vortex technology, the robot uses a propeller and suction cups to climb walls and ceilings, while wheels allow it to move along horizontal surfaces. A pink ball with a camera on top helps operators navigate and avoid obstacles. The robot's electrode, mounted underneath, detects corrosion in real time. It has already proven effective in identifying issues on several Swiss bridges.
But the team isn’t done yet. By mid-2015, they aimed to replace manual control with an autonomous navigation system, allowing C2D2 to identify and overcome obstacles on its own.
C2D2 isn't the first robot designed for infrastructure inspection. Companies like Redzone Robotics have been using robots to inspect sewer lines since 2013, while Rolls-Royce has been deploying pipe-inspection robots since 1991, especially in nuclear plants. Others focus on coating pipelines to reduce leaks, and HiBot has developed robots for checking power lines.
Corrosion is a global issue, and the cost of repairing aging infrastructure continues to rise. With the help of technologies like C2D2 and solutions such as HJ3’s carbon fiber systems, we're taking steps to protect our bridges and save money on repairs.
If you want to learn more about how HJ3’s systems can help prevent costly bridge failures, contact us today. Let’s build a safer future, one structure at a time.
June 25, 2025