TIM, the Train Inspection Monorail, is a mini vehicle autonomously monitoring the 27-km long LHC tunnel and moving along tracks suspended from the tunnel's ceiling. Packed with sensors for visual inspection, infrared imaging and environmental monitoring (oxygen, temperature), the robot can be programmed to perform real-time inspection missions. Thanks to its modular design, TIM can carry additional instruments in one of its wagons, making this an extremely versatile industrial monitoring solution.
This innovation has already caught the eye of industry, in particular for autonomous monitoring of utilities infrastrucure, like underground water pipelines.