Costain has trialled a revolutionary system to enhance tunnel construction safety and quality.
- This innovative system integrates real-time data using advanced robotics and AI.
- Collaboration included i3D Robotics, Tunnel Engineering Services, and the Manufacturing Technology Centre.
- The trials focused on the Digitally Assured Tunnel Assets – Information System.
- This system could set new standards for efficiency and risk mitigation in infrastructure projects.
Costain has embarked on an innovative trial of a system designed to enhance quality and safety during tunnel construction. The Digitally Assured Tunnel Assets – Information System (Data-IS) delivers real-time assurance data and information, leveraging automated robots to ensure efficiency and precision in the installation of tunnel services.
Central to the trials is Atris, an AI-enabled robotic system that expedites the tunnel fit-out process by automating the installation of brackets. This approach not only streamlines the installation process but also addresses potential health and safety risks inherent in such confined environments. The data captured through Atris is utilised by Data-IS to confirm successful installations, uploading this information to a digital twin for remote verification.
This trial, conducted in partnership with i3D Robotics, Tunnel Engineering Services, and the Manufacturing Technology Centre, aims to seamlessly integrate robotics with digital assurance techniques. Costain and its partners foresee the usage of this combined system across various infrastructure sectors, including road, rail, water, and energy projects, thereby revolutionising current construction methodologies.
The initiative also shines a light on the collaborative efforts of Costain and its partners. While Costain developed the digital twin technology, i3D was responsible for creating the visualisation software that supports it, ensuring optimal functionality of the Data-IS system. Furthermore, the Manufacturing Technology Centre led the design and programming of the Atris robot, with trials being supervised at Tunnel Engineering Services’ facility in Heywood.
Highlighting the significance of this advancement, i3D’s senior systems engineer, Richard French, articulated the potential for robotics and AI to transform not only construction practices but also the traditional approach to quality assurance through the use of digital data. His perspective underscores the ambition of achieving paper-free asset handovers, a long-term goal for the industry.
This initiative may well redefine the future of infrastructure development, blending technology with construction innovation.
