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Network operator Openreach (BT) has revealed that they’re conducting trials of a new “advanced robotic … space-age” trenchless drilling technology, known as MicroBORE, to help accelerate their ongoing rollout of Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) based broadband ISP lines across the United Kingdom. It could also cut civil engineer costs and reduce disruption.
The system, which is claimed to have originally been “designed for lunar and Martian exploration“, was developed through a 5-year collaboration between BT Group, UK-based engineer firm Synthotech and the University of Surrey to translate space research into real-world infrastructure innovation.
The robotic MicroBORE is designed to bore narrow channels beneath pavements and driveways, allowing fibre optic cables to be laid from the main duct to residential premises “without the need for traditional open trenching“, which is of course the most expensive and disruptive part of underground street works. But preciously how much “faster” and more cost-effective this is than traditional methods remains unclear (that’s what the trials are for).
There is also potential for long-term savings from reduced restoration and traffic management costs. In dense urban areas, where traditional methods would require road closures and extensive digging, MicroBORE can drill from one small access point to another, threading fibre cables beneath roads and pavements. By avoiding large-scale excavation, MicroBORE also helps preserve green spaces and reduce carbon emissions.
Violeta Novakovic, BT Research Manager, said:
“Through our partnership with Synthotech, we’re taking cutting-edge engineering and applying it to one of the UK’s biggest infrastructure challenges. The MicroBORE could be a game-changer for Openreach by enabling faster, greener, and less disruptive fibre installations that benefit customers and communities nationwide.”
Simon Langdale, Engineering Director at Synthotech, said:
“The new drilling technology will significantly reduce the cost and accelerate the execution of key civil engineering tasks. This is a hugely exciting application of advanced robotics that will completely transform how underground fibre connectivity is managed and delivered.”
The scale of civil engineering required in areas lacking existing duct infrastructure is substantial and Openreach, alongside the developers of this new technology, are currently seeing if they can prove that the new technology can be made to work at scale. Testing at BT’s R&D centre in Suffolk is said to have already confirmed the system’s “operational viability“.
Assuming all goes well, then we could also see MicroBORE being adopted to support other sectors that require low-impact underground access, such as for the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging and utility connections. At present, we don’t have any other pictures or videos of the new robot, but we are trying to locate some.