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SurveyFusion

One digital system to collect and analyse data from different surveys, by different suppliers, collected manually or remotely.

Overview

Current methods of asset surveying required multiple surveyors to inspect and record data which must be made compatible before being recorded into the digital twin. A process that can be time consuming and prone to error. Remote Inspection Technique Systems (RITS), such as crawlers and ground or aerial vehicles are increasingly being used to access dangerous or inaccessible areas on vessels, and this data must also be recorded. These survey produce masses of uncorrelated data organised in a “by surveyor” or “temporal” database making the recall of data extremely difficult. The need for a system to manage complex assets was clear.

Approach

Compatibility between different survey data was the primary challenge to overcome with SurveyFusion. We solved this issue in two stages – (1) survey data collection is carried out in combination with our Adaptable Sensor Pack (ASP) and (2) the Survey Review Software is used for visualising and assessing the survey data. Createc’s ASP is based on technology developed for the civil nuclear industry. The ASP can be attached to any RITS or even hand carried by the surveyor for a manual survey.

The advantage of SurveyFusion is that data collected by a manual survey or a RITS-deployed survey, both using an ASP module, can all be fused to form a composite representation of the ship with all data aligned to the same spatial co-ordinates. Surveys can be undertaken by different people, on different days using
different equipment and the all data would be compatible with the SurveyFusion system.

For example, currently video surveys require a surveyor to review the images in time order. This can cause issues when a recording moves in the wrong direction and makes it difficult to identify the image which covers a particular area of interest. In our Survey Review Software images are indexed spatially and accessed through a 3D representation of the ship or Digital Twin.

Solution

To solve this challenge we partnered with BMT whose expertise in ship inspections enabled a focus on true value to be maintained.  

We developed a back end fusion system that enables data recorded with multiple platforms to be located within a single digital twin. This mapping system puts all data in the same frame of reference to enable data recall based on location or asset.  

This information was passed into a high fidelity 3D visualisation developed by BMT that enables the recall of data for the end user.  

SurveyFusion reduces ship survey time, improves the analysis of data and integrates remote survey methods. Based on technology developed for remote access to nuclear facilities, SurveyFusion enables human and robotic systems to collaborate seamlessly while performing a survey and collecting data. 

Conclusion

Reduce survey time 
Survey at sea. Combine different sensors types easily. 

The project developed a low TRL application but with a clear roadmap to increase from TRL 3 to 5 this financial year and then to 7 within 24 months. 

The Ship Inspection project recognised a range of benefits to be realised in future phases although these are not fully financially assessed yet. These are shown below which align to an aspect of realising Digital Twins for the Royal Navy. 

Re-Use of Survey Data 

  • Compare survey information to identify trends or deterioration of material state over time. 
  • Recall other relevant survey data, reports and drawings. 

 

Intuitive User Interface 

  • Cost effective capture and generation of As-Build Digital Twins 

 

Open Survey Methods 

  • Survey capture can be done by anyone and integrated into the Digital Twin model. 
  • Multiple options for mounting sensors from handheld, to UAV and ground based vehicles. 

 

Based on this we predict saving of: 

  • 10-20% reduction in workforce planning; 
  • 30-50% reduction in predictive maintenance; 
  • 20-30% increase in data utilisation; and 
  • 20-40% reduction in reactive maintenance (although this has been found to be much higher in some instances). 

 

Specifically for surveys the immediate savings relate directly to: 

  • Reducing Operational Expenses relating to Manual Surveys; 
  • Up to 66% reduction in the personnel required to capture survey data; 
  • A 50% reduction in the time to taken to conduct a survey; 
  • A significant reduction in all costs associated with travel; 
  • Elimination of productivity downtime associated with travel; 
  • Reduction in equipment expenses involved in data capture; 
  • Reduction or removal of human-risk related to data capture. 
  • Additionally longer term benefits and savings can be realised based on trend monitoring and proactive maintenance:
    Layered survey data enables remote monitoring of trends that supports more targeted work force planning reducing the need for lengthy support periods and reducing the likelihood of downtime due to defects. 
  • Compilation of data enables further automation of processes in the review of data enables further reductions in the time and cost of analysing surveys.