Deploying Mobility Innovations for Infrastructure Projects with Tim Slusser, Operations Director for motmot
About this episode
Detroit’s mobility ecosystem sets the stage for motmot’s in-pipe robotics and data-driven approach to water infrastructure. Tim Slusser explains how proactive, information-rich maintenance can reduce replacement costs compared with emergency repairs. The team’s robots operate inside pressurized potable-water pipes, handling tuberculation, tight diameters, and sharp bends, while using sensors and AI to navigate disturbances. Inspections generate conditional assessment reports with scoring matrices and probability-of-failure modeling, and deployments can be remotely operated with live camera feeds.
Tim Slusser joined Jeannine and Bernard at the Mobility Table to explore the application of mobility technologies on aging infrastructure for maintenance and inspection purposes, the resources available for organizations working to create advanced mobility technologies and the potential for AI and greater autonomy in motmot’s technologies.
Tim Slusser is the operations director at motmot. He previously served as the chief of mobility innovation under Mayor Duggan. Throughout his career, Tim has occupied a variety of roles across business development and mobility.
active, highly pressurized water infrastructure
"So we actually build technology that goes into active, highly pressurized water infrastructure, this is potable water infrastructure, so when you turn on the faucet, when you fill up your water bottle, we're in those, those pipes that actually feed that network."
It means the water system is working and pressurized while the robot is inside it. That makes the job harder because the robot has to operate safely in a tough, constantly “on” environment.
This describes live water systems that are under significant internal pressure while operating normally. For robotics, it implies the robot must function reliably in a continuously flowing, high-pressure environment rather than a drained or low-pressure setup.
potable water infrastructure
"active, highly pressurized water infrastructure, this is potable water infrastructure, so when you turn on the faucet, when you fill up your water bottle, we're in those, those pipes that actually feed that network."
“Potable water” means drinking water. So “potable water infrastructure” is the underground pipe system that brings safe-to-drink water to homes and businesses.
“Potable” means water that’s safe to drink, so potable water infrastructure is the network of pipes and equipment that delivers drinking-quality water. The segment emphasizes that the robotic technology must work inside pressurized drinking-water pipes without contaminating the supply.
psi
"two things, number one, highly, highly pressurized, we're talking somewhere between typically like 50 to 80 psi of pressure, sometimes even higher up to 100 psi."
“psi” is a way to measure pressure. Higher psi means the water is pushing harder inside the pipe, which makes the environment tougher for equipment to work in.
“psi” stands for pounds per square inch, a unit used to measure pressure. In the segment, it describes how much internal pressure the robotic platform must operate against inside pressurized water pipes.
tuberculation
"In many cases, that infrastructure might be old, it might have what's called tuberculation, which is almost like a plaque type of a buildup. That doesn't sound good at all."
Tuberculation is buildup inside water pipes—often rusty deposits that grow over time. It can make the pipe narrower and eventually cause flow problems.
Tuberculation is the formation of rust-like deposits (tubercles) on the inside of pipes, which can narrow flow passages. In potable water systems, it can increase the risk of clogging and reduce water quality and flow reliability.
making a 90 degree turn in six inch infrastructure
"we are able to access that infrastructure as small as six inches in diameter, which is a unique challenge, right? Making a 90 degree turn in six inch infrastructure."
They’re saying the robot has to fit through very small pipes and still turn sharply. That’s difficult because there’s almost no space to maneuver.
The phrase highlights a robotics packaging and navigation constraint: the robot must maneuver through very small-diameter piping while negotiating sharp bends. In practice, this drives design choices like compact form factor, sensor placement, and propulsion control.
Toyota A90
"we are able to access that infrastructure as small as six inches in diameter, which is a unique challenge, right? Making a 90 degree turn in six inch infrastructure. Right, because when you talk about your technology, we're talking, you know, not something sort of nefarious, it's a robot. Yep,"
The Toyota Supra is a sports car made by Toyota. It’s designed to be fast and fun to drive, with a focus on performance rather than comfort. People may talk about it when discussing how a car is built to fit its parts and still drive well.
The Toyota Supra is a performance sports coupe known for its strong acceleration and driver-focused design. It often comes up in discussions about engineering and packaging because its layout and powertrain choices have to balance performance with everyday usability. In a podcast, it may be mentioned as an example of how manufacturers solve real-world constraints while still delivering a sporty driving experience.
sensors
"it's got adorable names like R2B, D2. No. That is our internal name for our R2D2 robot. Yes. So, but yes, so we have to be able to make these turns of stuff so you have this compact piece of technology that has to have lighting, it has to have cameras, it has to have a variety of different sensors, and have the capability to propel itself, right, into these environments."
Here, “sensors” means the robot’s tools for seeing and measuring what’s around it. Since the pipes are dark, it needs sensors to move and work safely.
In this context, “sensors” refers to the robot’s measurement devices (e.g., cameras and other detectors) used to perceive the pipe environment. Because the infrastructure is dark and unlit, sensors are essential for navigation and inspection.
AI and autonomy
"So you touched on it, AI and autonomy. And I have to say, I saw a demo of that robot... ... Right? And that really, I think, is the nearest term opportunity, and kind of our progression path towards a potential future of full autonomy."
They’re talking about using computer “smarts” so a robot can sense what’s around it and make its own movement decisions. The goal is to reduce how much a person has to control it directly, especially in tricky conditions.
“AI and autonomy” here means using software to perceive the environment and make driving/steering decisions without a human manually controlling every action. The speaker frames it as a progression path from partial automation toward full autonomy for a robot operating in complex, moving water infrastructure.
full autonomy
"Right? And that really, I think, is the nearest term opportunity, and kind of our progression path towards a potential future of full autonomy."
“Full autonomy” means the robot can do the job by itself, without someone constantly steering or directing it. They’re saying today’s tools can help, but the long-term goal is complete self-driving behavior for the task.
“Full autonomy” means the robot can complete its tasks end-to-end without continuous human intervention, handling sensing, planning, and control on its own. In this segment, it’s presented as a future endpoint after nearer-term assistance from automation.
accelerometers
"So we've got accelerometers and things like that that can sense those. And one of the best ways that we can get assistance from this type of technology today"
Accelerometers are sensors that detect how something is speeding up, slowing down, or changing direction. In this case, they help the robot notice when the water flow is pushing it around.
Accelerometers are sensors that measure acceleration forces, helping a system detect motion changes and disturbances. Here, they’re used to sense how turbulence in active water mains can make the robot reorient and move unpredictably.
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