AI and Drones Revolutionize Bridge Maintenance for Enhanced Infrastructure Sustainability
In a groundbreaking development for infrastructure maintenance, advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and drone technology are being harnessed to detect and address corrosion in steel bridges. This innovative approach, developed by NTT Corporation and NTT e-Drone Technology Corporation, marks a significant leap forward in ensuring the safety and longevity of critical infrastructure while potentially reducing maintenance costs and environmental impact.
The new method combines AI-powered image recognition with drone technology to overcome the limitations of traditional visual inspections. By automating the process of corrosion detection and depth estimation, this solution addresses the longstanding challenges faced by infrastructure managers in maintaining steel structures. The Federal Highway Administration has previously highlighted the inconsistencies in corrosion detection due to varying operator experience and equipment sensitivity, issues that this AI-drone integration aims to resolve.
A real-world application of this technology was successfully demonstrated on a bridge in Kumagaya City, Japan. Drones captured high-resolution images of the bridge structure, which were then analyzed by AI algorithms to detect areas of corrosion and estimate the depth of damage. This approach not only improves the accuracy of inspections but also significantly reduces the need for costly and potentially hazardous manual inspections that often require scaffolding or specialized equipment.
Looking ahead, NTT plans to expand the application of this technology beyond bridges to include other steel structures such as towers and guardrails. The company aims to introduce this as a comprehensive inspection support technology by fiscal year 2025, contributing to a more sustainable approach to infrastructure maintenance. By reducing inspection costs and improving the efficiency of corrosion detection, this innovation has the potential to address the rising costs of infrastructure maintenance while ensuring public safety and extending the lifespan of critical structures.
Technologies Used:
- AI Image Recognition: Analyzes drone-captured images to detect corrosion and estimate its depth, improving accuracy over traditional visual inspections.
- Drone Imaging Systems: Capture high-resolution images of bridge structures, enabling access to hard-to-reach areas without the need for scaffolding.
- Ultrasonic Devices: Used in conjunction with AI analysis to measure the loss in steel cross-sections of corroded areas, enhancing the precision of damage assessment.
Companies Involved:
- NTT Corporation: Lead developer of the AI technology for corrosion detection and analysis.
- NTT e-Drone Technology Corporation: Provides drone technology and expertise for capturing high-quality images of bridge structures.
Sustainability Focus:
- Resource Efficiency: Reduces the need for physical inspections and associated resources, minimizing environmental impact.
- Infrastructure Longevity: Enables early detection and intervention, extending the lifespan of steel structures and reducing material waste.
- Safety Enhancement: Improves worker safety by reducing the need for manual inspections in hazardous areas.
- Cost Reduction: Lowers maintenance costs through efficient and accurate inspections, allowing for better allocation of resources.
SDGs Impacted:
- SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): Promotes resilient infrastructure through innovative maintenance techniques.
- SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Enhances the safety and sustainability of urban infrastructure.
- SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Supports efficient use of resources in infrastructure maintenance.
Geographic Focus: Japan
Industry Focus: Infrastructure, Construction
Source: DroneLife
Disclaimer
The inclusion of experts on this website or in any professional directory on this website does not imply recommendation or endorsement of such expert nor is such information intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any expert contained therein.
All information on this website is provided on an “as-is” basis and the Company disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose as to the results you may achieve on account your use of this website, as to the results you may achieve on account of any relationship you elect to create with an expert. The Company does not make any representations or warranties regarding any expert, including but not limited to, any expert’s ability to obtain a favorable result for you. The Company does not guaranty in any services or goods associated with this website will be error-free or uninterrupted, or that any service or good will continue to be available. Any material downloaded or otherwise obtained through the use of the service is done at your own discretion and risk and that you will be solely responsible for any damage to your computer system or loss of data that results from the download of any such material. No information, whether oral or written, obtained by you from the Company or through or from this website shall create any warranty not expressly stated.
Though all efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and currency of the content on this website, the same should not be construed as a statement of law or used for any legal purposes or otherwise. The Company, its management and/or its employees hereby expressly disowns and repudiates any claims or liabilities (including but not limited to any third party claim or liability, of any nature, whatsoever) in relation to the accuracy, completeness, usefulness and real-time of any information and contents available at this website, and against any intended purposes (of any kind whatsoever) by use thereof, by the user/s (whether used by user/s directly or indirectly). Users are advised to verify/check any information and contents, with the relevant source(s) and obtain any appropriate professional advice, before acting thereon as may be provided, from time to time, in the website.
Portions of the content presented on this website have been generated using advanced artificial intelligence tools, including but not limited to ChatGPT, Bing, and other generative AI models. While the Company strives for accuracy and relevance, the nature of AI-generated content means that it may occasionally contain inaccuracies, omissions, or may not always reflect the most current information. The Company recommends users to exercise discretion, and cross-reference information from other sources when making decisions based on the content provided on this Website. The Company will not be responsible for any decisions made based on information provided on this Website.
The Company makes no representations or warranty whatsoever about any other web site which you may access through this one or third party content. The Company shall not be responsible for and assumes no liability for any mistakes, misstatements of law, defamation, omissions, falsehood, obscenity, pornography or profanity in the statements, opinions, representations or any other form of content contained in any third-party content appearing on the website. You understand that the information and opinions in the third-party content on this website represent solely the thoughts of the author and is neither endorsed by the Company nor does it reflect the beliefs of the Company. When you access any website, please understand that it is independent from the Company, and the Company has no control over the content on that website. In addition, a link to any other web site does not mean that the Company endorses or accepts any responsibility for the content, or use, of such web site. It is up to you to take precautions to ensure that whatever you select for your use is free of such items as viruses, worms and other items of destructive nature. The Company hereby expressly disclaims any liability and claims against, any information, materials, products or services posted or offered at any of the third party sites linked to this website.
This website shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the applicable laws of India.
The Company exclusively reserves the rights, to change or modify or alter any of the policies available on this website (whether completely or partially), from time to time, at its discretion, without any objections, interruptions, grounds, claims or liabilities of any third party/users.