THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023
Provider of AI-assisted digital inspection software Qii.AI announced earlier this month that it has entered into an agreement with Canada’s Naval Engineering Test Establishment for use of the platform in the Royal Canadian Navy’s ship inspection program.
Using the system, the company reports that ship inspections from drone imagery can be completed in a fraction of the time taken for traditional methods. The process is accelerated even further by artificial intelligence, automating the detection and measurement of issues in need of remediation, such as corrosion.
“We are extremely proud of the success we have had so far in working with the Canadian Navy through its Sandbox program, to bring this project to this point, and we are extremely excited to commence work customizing the full spectrum of our technological capabilities, from thermal, to visual, to sonar, to fit the Navy’s unique needs,” said Qii.AI CEO Michael H. Cohen.
“We’re very confident that once we have shown the efficiency and accuracy that we can add for Canada’s naval inspection program, other branches of the military and partner militaries will take notice.”
He adds that the technology offers the potential to be applied broadly across military and non-military shipping assets, and that he hopes this is the first of many such engagements with the Canadian Armed Forces as well as NATO partner forces.
Qii.AI |
Provider of AI-assisted digital inspection software Qii.AI announced earlier this month that it has entered into an agreement with Canada’s Naval Engineering Test Establishment for use of the platform in the Royal Canadian Navy’s ship inspection program. |
The visual data gathered for the new ship-inspection program will reportedly be carried out using small inspection drones from Skydio.
Skydio cofounder and CEO Adam Bry said, “autonomous drones will revolutionize naval inspections by creating comprehensive digital copies of vessels. Skydio 3D Scan automates the capture process, and partnering with Qii.AI enables an end-to-end AI-driven workflow to help operators make better decisions faster. We are excited to help build this program for the Royal Canadian Navy, and are looking forward to more success in this sector.”
Other Drone, AI Inspections
At the end of last year, it was reported that a researcher at Wayne State University wants to use robotics and artificial intelligence work previously utilized in Texas for the inspection of pipelines in Michigan. Led by the Dean of Wayne State’s College of Engineering, Ali Abolmaali, the team uses robotic inspection and AI research to determine the remaining service life of pipelines.
Abolmaali, who reportedly arrived from the University of Texas of Arlington, has previously secured more than $38 million in governmental grants and fundraising for his research projects to inspect and predict the remaining service life of existing sewer pipeline systems throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
For the project, he built a robot prototype to inspect wear and tear on pipelines, saving cities millions in repair and maintenance costs.
The research team now uses five robots to inspect pipes with flow (sewer lines) or no flow (gravity or pressure lines) for structural defects and damage. Each robot is equipped with LiDAR, sonar, a panoramic 360-degree video camera and geographic information system used to display data to its location.
Abolmaali said that the LiDAR captures the profile above the fluid line, while the sonar reads data below the fluid line. According to the university, the unmanned, multi-sensor inspection robot enters pipeline systems through a manhole, maneuvering the pipes and providing video views for structural damage data.
Tagged categories: Contracts; Corrosion; Digital tools; Drones; Inspection; Inspection equipment; Marine; Marine; Program/Project Management; Ships and vessels; Technology; Tools & Equipment