AI For Safer Structures In South Africa
An IoT platform to make South Africa’s bridges, roads, railways and buildings safer has landed. Structural health monitoring (SHM) specialists, Move Solutions, has recently added the MyMove IoT platform to their stable of smart structural monitoring solutions.
To predict structural health issues before they become critical, MyMove uses artificial intelligence (AI) to transform vast and complex data into easily understandable information and uses machine learning to identify subtle changes or anomalies in structures.
“This technology will enhance the safety and durability of structures, as well as reduce maintenance costs by addressing problems in the first stages,” says Ambra Scotolati, Marketing Strategist for Move Solutions. “It also allows for an understanding of the reasons behind certain issues and the immediate detection of anomalies for timely decision-making.”
Current technologies exhibit inefficiencies that are not as accurate in identifying these anomalies that may become critical.
“Real-time insights and anomaly detection have been a challenge that the broader building and construction industry in South Africa has faced. The integration of AI in structural health monitoring is a paradigm shift in how we approach the longevity and safety of infrastructure. We are excited to be introducing this cutting-edge technology to the South African market,” says Elton Murison, Director at TANDM, the local distributor for Move Solutions.
In addition, the real-time function of MyMove removes the time-consuming, costly, and sometimes inadequate manual and periodic inspections that the industry currently relies on.
“Presently, structural monitoring is still done in an outdated way, which involves on-site inspections without high-quality technology. Traditional approaches often fail to provide timely insights that are crucial for preventive action. With the advent of AI and IoT technologies, we’re now able to achieve a level of precision that was previously unattainable,” says Scotolati.
With the information the technology gleans from historical data, AI algorithms can accurately distinguish between normal fluctuations and genuine structural anomalies.
“Reducing the rate of false positives ensures that alerts are meaningful and actionable. This level of accuracy will enable industries where structural integrity is key to prevent catastrophic failures and enhance public safety,” says Scotolati. These include but are not limited to structures such as bridges, railways and high-rise buildings.
The MyMove IoT platform is available through its South African partner, TANDM.