The analysis of pipeline flow fields and forces during inspection robot operation is the basis of most pipeline robot studies. In this study, the low-Reynolds-number k -epsilon model was used to numerically simulate the status of the pipeline flow field for an inspection robot operating in a pipe tee and pipe bend, which constituted the experimental group. A pipeline with no robot was set as the control group. The velocity, dynamic pressure, and static pressure of the pipelines were analyzed. A comparison of the results of the experimental and control groups revealed minor changes in the velocity and dynamic pressure of the pipeline flow field when the robot was operating; furthermore, the static pressure was found to increase significantly in the experimental group. Therefore, the presence of an inspection robot increases the load of the pipeline. This conclusion has significance for guiding the working state analysis of inspection robots in complex pipeline environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]