Drone, Software Firm Alliance Takes on Large Construction Jobs
A Doosan Group division has joined with automated analytics provider AI Clearing to provide detailed jobsite data for large-scale construction projects.
The partnership takes advantage of Doosan Mobility Innovation’s hydrogen-powered drones, reportedly the first-of-its-kind. Capable of staying airborne for more than 2 hours, the drones alleviate the need for multiple batteries and launch points required by lithium-ion polymer drones and stay airborne four times longer, says AI Clearing. And when power does get low, the hydrogen tanks can be quickly replaced, allowing the drones to be running again in three minutes.
Not only are the DMI drones capable of being in the air longer, they can also carry more payload, says Taco Engelaar, chief commercial officer, AI Clearing. “There’s a huge synergy with their drone hardware and our software,” he says.
For its part, AI Clearing says its artificial intelligence-powered system leverages automation in comparing drone images with schedules and designs, providing teams with full visibility into the work that’s been completed and spot any discrepancies to design.
While drones are commonplace on jobsites, contractors are not getting much value from the data obtained by them, Engelaar says. “The digital surface models don’t really mean much,” he says. AI Clearing’s software uses what he calls a fully automated progress tracking solution that analyzes the drone data along with project design data.
The partnership is targeting large construction projects with this joint effort, including roads, bridges, high-speed rail, solar farm and port construction.
Companies are “increasingly demanding longer flight time,” says Doo Soon Lee, CEO, Doosan Mobility Innovation. “This is the case for sites difficult to access in one flight, sites where efficiency is significantly reduced with battery drones due to large scale, or when you want to perform multiple missions using long flight time.”
Joint AI Clearing/DMI future projects could involve near real-time reporting as the drone flies over a site, something that now takes about a day because of the data processing and analytics involved. “We’re looking at ways to actually install our solution directly onto the drone and then directly transmit our progress analytics in real time,” Engelaar says, taking advantage of the drone’s heavier payload capabilities.
The joint effort will also focus on R&D with an aim to enable edge computing for construction progress that was previously impossible due to limitations in computing power and the distance capabilities of most drones, AI Clearing says.
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Product Briefs: Explore Virtual Lift Scenarios with JLG’s Access Your World
JLG has added a new educational module to its virtual training and education portal Access Your World. This third virtual environment features finish and maintenance work taking place within an office environment. In it users can explore a wide range of content on JLG products including low-level access, scissor lifts, atrium lifts and the JLG Augmented reality App.
The other two scenarios include construction tasks on the outside of a stadium, such as site preparation and steel erection work; and truss, fit out and finish work inside the stadium. All three scenarios are designed to illustrate multiple stages of construction and help users better understand specific applications and uses of the equipment.
Soil Connect adds new eTicket functionality
SoilConnectSoil Connect had added a few feature, Quick eTickets, to its eTicket platform that allows users to easily capture customer information, type of truck, destination, pictures, eSignatures, type of material, load count and other types of information in real time on an as-needed basis. The system simplifies the ticketing process for everyone and eliminates administrative expenses.
“Quick eTickets is for on-the-fly situations that drivers often encounter on a daily basis,” says Cliff Fetner, founder and CEO of Soil Connect.
eTickets is a contactless, e-ticketing platform designed to eliminate the use of paper tickets and allow users to easily capture customer information, type of truck, destination, pictures, eSignatures, type of material, load count and other critical business information.
Extendable trailers meet California haul requirements
The Fontaine Xcalibur trailer opens to 90 feet.
Fontaine Heavy-Haul introduced the 53-foot Xcalibur extendable trailer that opens to 90 feet. The new models offer a choice of spring or air suspension.
When the trailers are closed and the sliding axles are in their most forward position, the distance between the kingpin and the rear axle center is less than 40 feet, making these trailers legal to operate in California. A cable management system helps protect telescoping air and electrical lines from damage. Sliding axles are attached to the trailer in a slider box so they move together as a unit.
For greater strength and durability, steel I-Beam crossmembers are welded on 12-inch centers. Steel reinforced main beams, structural steel siderails and steel front & rear skirts complete the heavy-duty design.
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Compact Magni TH U 5.8 Telehandler Designed for Underground Mining
Magni Telescopic Handlers will debut a mining-specific telehandler at MineExpo 2021. The new low-profile telehandler, the TH U 5.8, is a fixed telescopic handler with features specifically designed for underground mining environments.
The TH U 5.8 can safely lift to a height of 26 feet and boasts a lifting capacity of up to 11,000 pounds in a compact 17- by 8-foot frame. The compact frame is built for work in tight situations.
Powered by a Deutz engine, the hydrostatic transmission enables precise movements and maneuverability. For safety, the TH U 5.8 has a braking system designed for use on the steep slopes found in many mines. A 50-ppm catalytic converter filters exhaust from the machine, making the air safer for crews around the telehandler when working in enclosed spaces.
Standard safety features for the TH U 5.8 include a pressurized Magni cab with air filtration, FOPS and ROPS protection, and an extra safety cage that protects the cab from falling objects. Additionally, each Magni TH U 5.8 comes equipped with a load-limiting system that prevents operators from lifting unsafe loads. Emergency stop buttons inside and outside the cab provide additional safety.
The TH U 5.8 is compatible with a wide range of attachments including work platforms, jibs, winches and forks. It is equipped with an RFID system, which enables automatic recognition of attachments and the creation of digital load charts specific to each attachment.
The MineExpo, the world’s largest mining event, will be held September 13-15 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Click here for registration.
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