00:01A promising joint venture between drones and autonomous heavy machinery has been tested to cut emissions and enhance safety in
00:08tunnel and road construction.
00:10In this former quarry in northern Spain, drones are used to inspect tunnels after the control blast needed to excavate
00:16them.
00:16In first place, before the detonation, the drone will enter autonomously and create a map of the environment and the
00:22whole tunnel, so that later it can be a digital gem.
00:26In second place, after the detonation, it will create an atmosphere of low visibility and dangerous.
00:32This is why the drone will enter in a joint with the ball to help its eyes to guide the
00:37interior of the tunnel.
00:38In addition to this, we will be able to detect explosives no detonated or similar.
00:45Based on the information provided by the drones, the loader can enter autonomously the tunnel.
00:52Supported by navigation, positioning and perception systems, it reaches the excavation front and already starts operating,
01:00optimizing time and avoiding risks to workers.
01:03In this way, we can clean the tunnel so that the operators can enter later and do the tasks that
01:11are necessary.
01:14Developed within the European project Beyonders, the same autonomous loader technology is being adapted for surface works,
01:21with testing recently conducted at a pilot site along the Rome-L'Aquila highway in Italy.
01:48The autonomous loader operates within a sophisticated digital ecosystem.
01:54Drones perform photogrammetry to map the site and define the machine's optimal path,
01:59while workers are equipped with wearable sensors that allow the loader to stop immediately when it detects their presence.
02:11One of the issues that are most important to us is to ensure the safety of our operators,
02:19which is to ensure the safety of our operators, that are on the road, with verification and control.
02:25Thanks to a camera and a special software, this aerial drone measures the reflectivity of road signs and detect any
02:33objects on the highway.
02:34Together with a ground drone that checks the reflectivity of road markings,
02:39it automates tasks that would normally be done by workers, ensuring their safety.
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