Revolutionize Asset Inspections with Automated Drones and AI

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Potential of Integrated Inspections Using Drones and Automated Vehicles
   • The Use of Drones in Inspections
   • Limitations of Traditional Inspections
3. An End-to-End Automated Inspection Process
   • Scheduling and Planning Inspections
   • Controlling the Flight of the Drone
   • Data Transfer and Analysis
   • Notifying and Reporting Potential Issues
4. Integration with ServiceNow and Hala Sky Systems
   • Asset Management and Maintenance Activities
   • Scheduling the Drone Inspection
   • Assigning the Pilot and Pre-flight Checks
5. Flying the Drone and Real-time Monitoring
   • The Pilot's Control Room
   • Real-time Camera and Flight Path Tracking
   • Compliance and Post-flight Checks
6. Image Analysis and AI Video Analytics
   • Uploading Pictures to Optellos
   • AI Identification of Potential Issues
   • Pre-qualification and Reporting in ServiceNow
7. Conclusion

🚁 The Potential of Integrated Inspections Using Drones and Automated Vehicles

In today's world, the use of drones and other automated vehicles has gained significant attention. One area where these technologies have proven particularly beneficial is in inspections. Drones, in particular, have become increasingly popular in conducting inspections in various industries. They offer a unique perspective, allowing us to reach and inspect areas that were previously inaccessible or required significant human effort. However, there are certain limitations and challenges that come with using drones for inspections.

The Use of Drones in Inspections

Drones have been on the market for a considerable period, and countless organizations have incorporated them into their inspection processes. Tower inspections, flare inspections, and other hard-to-reach inspections have been made easier and more efficient through the use of drones. These organizations often have entire fleets of drones at their disposal for regular inspections. However, there are certain restrictions and regulations around the use of drones that need to be considered.

Limitations of Traditional Inspections

While the use of drones in inspections has been transformative, there are still limitations that need to be addressed. In most countries, drones can only be operated within the pilot's line of sight. This means that someone needs to be Present during the inspection to monitor the drone and ensure its safe operation. Additionally, after the inspection is complete, the data collected by the drone needs to be manually checked and analyzed. This manual process significantly hampers the automation aspect of inspections, as it requires considerable time and effort to review the entire video footage captured by the drone.

🌐 An End-to-End Automated Inspection Process

To overcome the limitations Mentioned earlier and unlock the full potential of using drones in inspections, an end-to-end automated inspection process has been developed. This process aims to streamline and automate each step of the inspection, from scheduling and planning to data analysis and reporting.

Scheduling and Planning Inspections

The first step of the automated inspection process involves scheduling and planning the inspections. This can be regular checks, such as corrosion inspections of pipes, or case-by-case inspections, like assessing visual damage after a storm. The inspections can be scheduled in advance, and the necessary parameters and flight Patterns can be defined for each inspection route. This ensures that the drone captures the required data during the flight.

Controlling the Flight of the Drone

Once the inspections are scheduled, the actual flight of the drone is controlled. This is where automation plays a crucial role. The pilot can assign the inspection request to the drone and select the appropriate flight date. Based on the predefined flight patterns and parameters, the system predicts the start and finish times of the flight. This information is then updated in the service management system, such as ServiceNow, to keep all stakeholders informed.

Data Transfer and Analysis

During the drone flight, the pictures and videos taken are transferred to a designated platform for further analysis. Optellos, an AI video analytics platform, is commonly used to upload the inspection data. This platform provides a comprehensive view of the inspections and uses AI algorithms to analyze the images. It identifies potential issues by highlighting areas of concern, such as corrosion or other anomalies. This automated analysis helps reduce the effort required by inspection engineers and speeds up the entire inspection process.

Notifying and Reporting Potential Issues

Once the analysis is complete, the identified potential issues are reported back to the service management system, such as ServiceNow or SAP. This triggers a notification that alerts the inspection team about the identified issues. The team can then review the notifications and decide if further investigation or action is required. This seamless integration with the service management system ensures that potential issues are addressed promptly and efficiently.

🚀 Integration with ServiceNow and Hala Sky Systems

To facilitate the end-to-end automated inspection process, integration with service management systems, such as ServiceNow, and drone control systems, like Hala Sky, is crucial. These integrations enable seamless communication and collaboration between different stakeholders involved in the inspection process.

Asset Management and Maintenance Activities

Service management systems, like ServiceNow, provide an overview of all the assets that need to be inspected and maintained. These systems allow for the automatic creation of maintenance activities based on predefined rules. Through these systems, inspectors or maintenance personnel can schedule inspection flights for specific assets, set recurring events, or define triggers for inspections. This integration ensures that inspections are efficiently planned and executed.

Scheduling the Drone Inspection

Once the inspection is scheduled in the service management system, the assignment is passed on to the drone control system, in this case, Hala Sky. The scheduler in Hala Sky is responsible for the detailed scheduling of the drone's flight. The assignment includes information about the asset to be inspected, the pilot responsible for the flight, the start and finish times, and the predefined flight patterns. This seamless transfer of information between systems ensures that all necessary details are available to the pilot before the flight.

Assigning the Pilot and Pre-flight Checks

After receiving the assignment, the pilot is selected, and the pre-flight checks are conducted. Similar to the pre-flight checks performed by pilots at airports, an engineer inspects the drone, ensuring that all necessary components are in order. This step is crucial for obtaining clearance to start the drone and ensures the safety and reliability of the inspection process.

🌍 Flying the Drone and Real-time Monitoring

Once the pre-flight checks are completed, the drone is ready to take off. The pilot assumes control in the control room and confirms the base parameters, including minimum and maximum altitudes. The liftoff is initiated, and the drone takes to the air, following the predefined flight patterns. Real-time monitoring allows the pilot to track the drone's location on a map and switch on the live camera feed if necessary. This enables the pilot to abort the mission, perform a safe landing, or take any necessary action in real-time.

📷 Image Analysis and AI Video Analytics

After the drone completes the flight and collects the necessary inspection data, the images are uploaded to the Optellos platform for analysis. Optellos is an AI video analytics platform that processes the images and employs AI algorithms to identify potential issues. The platform highlights areas of concern, such as corrosion or other anomalies, and generates flags to draw attention to these issues. This automated analysis helps streamline the inspection process and allows inspectors to focus on areas that require further investigation.

Pre-qualification and Reporting in ServiceNow

The potential issues identified by the AI video analytics system in Optellos are then reported back to the service management system, such as ServiceNow. The identified issues can trigger notifications in the system, alerting the inspection team or Relevant stakeholders. These notifications can be integrated with other systems, such as SAP or CMMS, to ensure a comprehensive inspection process. Inspectors can review the flagged issues, confirm their relevance, and initiate further investigation or necessary actions.

🔚 Conclusion

In conclusion, the integration of drones and automated vehicles in inspections has revolutionized the way inspections are conducted. Through the end-to-end automated inspection process, organizations can schedule, control, and analyze inspections more efficiently and accurately. By leveraging AI and video analytics, potential issues can be identified and reported in real-time, allowing for Prompt action and maintenance. The seamless integration with service management systems further streamlines the entire inspection workflow, ensuring a comprehensive and automated approach to inspections.

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