NTT reports water-leak location trial using optical-fibre sensing and AI
NTT’s October 21 trial announcement. Accuracy and timing apply to its experimental conditions, not a completed nationwide commercial deployment.
IllustrationNTT announced trial results on October 21 for locating water-supply leaks by analysing fibre-sensed vibrations with AI. In Fukuoka, measurement and analysis took about 15 minutes; 88% of estimates were within 75 cm horizontally.
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NTT’s October 21 trial announcement. Accuracy and timing apply to its experimental conditions, not a completed nationwide commercial deployment.
Measuring vibrations from the road surface
NTT worked with the Fukuoka City plumbing cooperative on water-supply pipes. Equipment using optical-fibre sensing on the ground measured tiny vibrations caused by leakage; AI then analysed them. The approach aims to support less-experienced workers.
Read the results alongside the test conditions
For pipes buried 30–120 cm underground, the company reported 88% accuracy within a 75 cm horizontal error, taking about 15 minutes from measurement through AI analysis. These are trial results, not a promise of identical accuracy for every pipe type or surrounding environment.
Sources & further reading
Our own summary based on the public information below.
- NTT公式：光ファイバーセンシングとAIによる漏水位置特定 ↗Source publication date: 2026-10-21
- NTT発表資料（PR TIMES）：実証のポイント ↗Source publication date: 2026-10-21
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