Drones, AI and the Future of Asset Data, from Zero(s) to Hero

Abstract

Data - we use this term every day, but the big question is, are organisations leveraging data effectively to make informed decisions about their assets? Collaboration between those organisations collecting data and those reviewing and analysing the data is key. This presentation will discuss making data collection more accurate, cost effective and access to up-to-date asset data faster to obtain through advances in technology, innovation and the opportunity to apply all of this to pilot asset data collection projects. So, back to data, the Merriam-Webster dictionary provides us with a simple, yet insightful definition of data, that being, “Data is factual information (such as measurements or statistics) used as a basis for reasoning, discussion or calculation”. Data is collected constantly, according to Forbes, there are about 2.5 quintillion bytes of data (quintillion has 18 zeros folks) created each day at our current pace, with 90% of that being created over the past two years alone. As Carla Fiorina (former executive, president, and chair of Hewlett-Packard Co) said, “The goal is to turn data into information, and information into insight”. Now we are not all “data experts”, but to effectively utilise all this data we have collected, we need to analyse and understand it; essentially turning it from raw data to information. Lucky technology can help us all out there. Technology is rapidly advancing, is increasing affordable and is readily available (most things can be bought at a click of the mouse button and delivered to your door these days). So, what does the possible future of technology in the asset data collection space look like? I do not have all the answers but at Proterra Group we do have some questions, guiding us towards a future, here are a few: - Can we automate previously laborious data validation tasks? - Are drones the answer to our inspection prayers? - Can we teach AI be used to identify defects accurately, effectively, and efficiently? - Are we utilising GIS software to its fullest? - Is there a better way to store our data and analyse it with our current skill sets? - Could our CCTV rovers be modified to negate our common pipe inspection issues? Over the past thirty years, leaps and bounds in technology have included: the internet, portable GPS, cloning, email and text messaging, drone’s hybrid cars, self-driving cars and drones – it boggles my mind to think what the next thirty years will bring. Let’s start exploring this together!