At Novosibirsk State Technical University (NETI) students are developing an affordable and simple solution to protect apartments from flooding.
As the project engineer, Maxim Nenashev, a student at the Faculty of Automation and Computer Engineering, noted, the scale of the problem prompted the creation of the device: apartment flooding occurs very often, in most cases the cause is an unclosed faucet or a broken mixer. Flooding entails serious financial losses due to damage to furniture and appliances, and the need for repairs for both apartment owners and their neighbors.
"Modern technologies make it possible to automate leak protection, but existing solutions are often too cumbersome, requiring intervention in the main line and the call of a plumber. We wanted to create a device that anyone could install with their own hands. Our system is a compact, self—contained unit that physically closes the faucet in case of an accident, when the water in the sink or bathtub reaches the threshold level, preventing the water from spilling onto the floor," said Maxim Nenashev.
The principle of operation is as follows. In the risk zone, a compact, moisture—proof electronic sensor is installed in the upper parts of the sink and bathtub, which constantly monitors the presence of water. Upon detecting contact with water, the sensor transmits a command to the device installed directly on the faucet valve, and it turns the faucet handle to the "closed" position, stopping the flow of water. The system informs the user about the operation with light and sound signals. After removing the water, you can restart the system by pressing the button.
"We are not trying to replace complex backbone systems, but are focusing on a point-by-point solution to a household problem. Our device does not require cutting into pipes and complicated installation, it will be installed in minutes and will not stand out from the interior. The system does not just notify about a leak, like passive sensors, but solves the problem by shutting off water, providing protection against flooding in the apartment," adds the developer.
By now, a working prototype is ready. The team is currently focused on turning the laboratory mock-up into a convenient and reliable device ready for real life. A compact and stylish case will be developed so that the device fits seamlessly into the interior of a bathroom or kitchen, as well as the software part will be improved so that the system does not allow false alarms and can work for a long time on a single charge.
By April 1, students plan to complete work on the demo MVP, and during 2027 they plan to conduct tests in real conditions, receive feedback from users, and refine the product based on this. And by 2028, to present a ready—made commercial product on the market. In the future, the possibility of expanding the range is being considered, for example, the creation of similar modules to protect washing machines from leaks and the development of a centralized system for controlling multiple devices in an apartment.
At the university student development competition held in December 2025, the team competed in the junior league and took 2nd place in the Engineering Project nomination.