The detection system integrates control technology, network technology, video encoding and decoding, video transmiss-ion, multi-single chip microcomputer communication, dat-abase technology, computer software and robot technology. The robot can adaptively adjust its status according to diameter (from 400 mm to 650 mm) of pipeline. The maximum detection distance is up to 1 000 m. The method of video coding in the system is based on fractal transformation. The experiments show that the coding scheme is fast and good PSNR. The precision of on-line detection is up to 3% thickness of pipeline wall. The robot can also have a high precision of location up to 0.03 m. The control method is based on network and characterized by on-line and real-time. The experiment in real gas pipeline shows that the performance of the detection system is good.