DEXON Technology Public Company Limited (DEXON) has received the Best Innovative Company Award in the Market for Alternative Investment (mai) category at the SET Awards 2026 for its robotic pipeline inspection technology, PipeGlide. Organised by the Stock Exchange of Thailand and Money & Banking magazine, the awards recognise innovation among listed companies.
Ms. Nawarat Khamsri, DEXON’s General Manager for Asia Pacific, accepted the award on behalf of the company for the development of “DEXON PipeGlide: An Intelligent 360° Pipeline Corrosion Inspection Robot.” This marks the fourth consecutive year that DEXON has received the Best Innovative Company Award.
PipeGlide combines a remotely operated robot with Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) and an interactive digital reporting system. Designed for pipelines in difficult-to-access locations, the technology enables inspection while the pipeline remains in service, reducing the need for personnel to enter hazardous areas and potentially avoiding system shutdowns, water drainage and scaffolding installation.
"Receiving this award for the fourth consecutive year is a source of pride for our team. It reflects our commitment to applying our inspection experience to develop technologies that address customers’ real operational needs. PipeGlide is an example of how we start with challenges in the field and develop inspection solutions that help customers access pipeline condition data more efficiently," said Ms. Nawarat.
Developed to Address Pipeline Inspection Challenges
PipeGlide was initially developed to inspect pipelines in a wastewater treatment pit and beneath structures at a chemical plant in Rayong Province, Thailand. Some of the pipelines were located close to the water's surface, making conventional inspection methods challenging. These methods could require lowering water levels, installing scaffolding and implementing additional safety measures for personnel, increasing both preparation time and inspection costs.
According to Mr. Adisak Mananus, DEXON’s Director of Operations, the development process began by identifying the pipeline condition information required by the customer. The team then designed a system capable of positioning an inspection probe to collect the necessary data while reducing the need to deploy personnel in hazardous locations.
The technology was developed in-house by DEXON's Innovation Development & Technology Service (IDTS) team, working with its Advanced Non-Destructive Testing (Advanced NDT) and field operations teams. Development included system design, mock-up testing, preparation of job-specific procedures and deployment at the customer's facility.
Robotic System Combines 360-Degree Movement with PAUT
PipeGlide uses magnetic wheels to adhere to the pipeline surface. The current system supports carbon steel pipes measuring 8–10 inches in diameter and is designed to perform inspections while pipelines remain in service, subject to operating conditions.
The robot controls movement along three axes: longitudinal travel along the pipe, circumferential movement around its surface, and adjustment of probe contact pressure to maintain suitable contact during inspection.
Operators control the system remotely from a safe location. Its safety features include an emergency stop button, automatic shutdown if communication is lost, and cameras that allow operators to monitor the inspection remotely.
For corrosion assessment, PipeGlide uses PAUT with a HydroFORM probe to measure remaining pipe wall thickness and generate continuous corrosion maps. Measurements are recorded with location references, helping inspection teams identify wall thinning and localised corrosion. The collected data can also be compared with subsequent inspection results to monitor changes in pipeline condition.
Interactive Digital Reporting Supports Asset Integrity Decisions
Inspection findings are delivered through DEXON's Interactive Intelligence Inspection Report. The digital reporting system connects inspection data and photographs with their corresponding locations on a three-dimensional pipe model.
This allows operators to identify areas requiring attention, prioritise maintenance activities and plan future inspections based on risk. The integration of inspection measurements and visual information also provides traceable records for ongoing pipeline condition monitoring.
Documented Cost Savings Exceed THB 3 Million
In one documented deployment, PipeGlide helped the customer reduce total inspection costs by more than THB 3 million. The savings were attributed to reduced system downtime, wastewater drainage and transfer, scaffolding installation and site preparation.
The actual cost benefits depend on the conditions and scope of each inspection project. By enabling pipeline assessment without requiring conventional access arrangements in certain applications, the technology can reduce operational disruption while providing data for maintenance planning.
Future Development of Robotic Pipeline Inspection
DEXON sees opportunities to apply PipeGlide across industries including refineries, petrochemical facilities, power plants and utility systems, where pipelines may be difficult to access using conventional inspection methods.
The company plans to expand the robot's capabilities to accommodate a wider range of pipe sizes and operating conditions. It also aims to make greater use of inspection data collected over time to track pipeline condition changes, support proactive maintenance and contribute to asset integrity management services.
"Our direction is to make data from each inspection more connected and usable, so customers can monitor pipeline conditions and plan maintenance appropriately. We will continue developing the robot’s capabilities alongside inspection quality," Ms. Nawarat added.
DEXON also highlighted the potential environmental benefits of reducing the need to drain water or remove waste during inspection activities. Combined with data-driven maintenance planning, the technology is intended to help operators focus interventions where they are needed and support longer asset service life.
The company plans to continue investing in robotics, inspection quality, data integration and workforce development as it advances its asset integrity solutions.
Reference: https://www.dexon-technology.com/
