ORLANDO, Fla. — Researchers at the University of Central Florida are using a new technology they developed to inspect infrastructure.
Officials said artificial intelligence and virtual reality could someday play a role in monitoring structures.
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Researchers said they are working to ensure roads and structures are safe.
Necati Catbas is an engineering professor at UCF who has spent years working with her students and colleagues to develop new techniques to assess the health of aging structures.
“We’re not doing this just to explore technology; there’s a real national need to better manage infrastructure,” Katbas said.
Every four years, the American Society of Civil Engineers releases a report card on America’s infrastructure. The result for 2021 was “C”.
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“Not just bridges and buildings, but all the energy systems, ports, levees, roads, railways, all of that,” Katbas said.
Catbas believes new technology will have a big impact.
The first development involves installing cameras and sensors on and around structures to monitor the site and continuously collect data on wear.
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We have also developed a way to remotely analyze hurricanes and other natural disasters using virtual and augmented reality.
Watch the video above for more details.
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