INSPECT (NSRF operational program 2014 – 2020) which concerns the design, development, certification and operation of an Ingrate Solution for Critical Infrastructure Inspections and Maintenance –INSPECT- using UAVs equipped with optical and infrared sensors for data collection, analysis and evaluation of these by specialized inspectors.
Infrastructure inspection, documentation and maintenance are limited to manual “ground-based” methods, and mainly involve the use of specialized equipment, ropes and installations to inspect large machinery and cooling towers, to supervise procedures and to identify fault points. In addition to the risk to inspectors, the process requires the shutdown of the machinery, resulting in significant economic repercussions.
The use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAVs) is a more effective, efficient and safer inspection process that gives better and more accurate monitoring and control, and does not require the shutdown of the machinery. The Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAVs) offer the ability to inspect inconvenient locations and production units with detailed imaging and collection of facilities that can be used to better assess and maintenance strategies.
This reduces the risk of disasters and increases production, thus improving the competitiveness of the industry. In addition, environmental impacts are reduced, increasing the safety of the personnel.
The role of AdMeS was:
i. Loading sensors special and thermal cameras on a UAV and then the flight of the specific UAV upon critical infrastructures.
ii. Developing SoftWare in order to identify cracks and any kind of discontinuity, specifying the rate of progress of the wear as well as the exact time that the end user has to intervene in order to repair the wear.