Industrial - Bachelors

VISTRUCT – Drone Controller

VISTRUCT is a post-earthquake structural inspection drone controller. This innovative, improved data analysis device was designed to enhance the safety, accuracy and efficiency of the inspection process using drones under hazardous conditions.

Jenny Solitana

THE PROBLEM

Current structural inspections are inaccurate, unsafe and labour-intensive, especially under post-earthquake conditions. Due to not being able to reach certain places, judgements are subjective leading to inconsistent assessments, insufficient data and the overall process can be incredibly time-consuming. All these factors are exacerbated when having to examine larger areas, highlighting the design opportunity of the need for more effective, efficient and reliable structural inspection processes to ensure the safety of occupants, surroundings and facilitate more swift recovery methods under emergency conditions.

RESEARCH

As a result of primary and secondary research findings, it was revealed that drones remain as the optimal solution for most types of inspections. Additionally, drones directly address the design implications derived from the research, particularly for groups of buildings with varying heights and hazards. However, there are currently a number of advanced drones on the market that are capable of efficiently conducting visual assessments. This ultimately led to optimising a drone controller that would be able to effectively identify, characterise, log and analyse data in real time, during structural inspections. This approach enhances the safety, efficiency and accuracy of the entire process without extensive arbitrary judgement, lack of resources and lost time.

Name
RESEARCH REPORT
File Type
application
File Size
9 MB
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VISTRUCT’s FEATURES

VISTRUCT is the future of post-earthquake inspections. Timely and accurate assessments are critical for ensuring the safety of people and facilitating swift recovery. This groundbreaking data analysis drone controller tool was designed to enhance the safety, accuracy and efficiency of the inspection process when utilising drones under hazardous conditions. Post-disaster assessments with VISTRUCT allows for comprehensive, precise and effective real-time data analysis through a user-centric interface and design. Its compactness, robustness, and innovative design offers superior durability to ensure it remains lightweight, protected and impact-absorbing when used in critical cases. As the demand for rapid and accurate assessments of structures grow, VISTRUCT emerges as a revolutionary tool that is reshaping the landscape of structural inspections after earthquakes, and possibly more! Its advanced technology is at the forefront of existing inspection methodologies, offering transformative results defining the future of this field.

STORYBOARD

USER INTERFACE EXAMPLES

KEY FEATURES

DUAL SCREEN

Eliminates the need for external mobile devices, allowing for streamlined control and data management. The upper screen is primarily for drone footage and usage and the bottom screen provides structural data and analysis. This design allows for real-time visualisation of structural components, potential hazards, defect identification, while allowing the user to mark critical anomalies and areas.

CUSTOMISABLE BUTTONS

Enables user to customise the device to their unique criteria and workflow, significantly improving the efficiency, effectiveness and speed of the inspection process. The buttons enhances the device intuitiveness, and becomes a versatile, responsive tool that allows it to swiftly adapt to real-world inspection needs.

REAL TIME DATA ANALYSIS

AI-powered defect recognition system which allows for rapid categorisation and assessment of building severity levels of damage (etc. cracks, buckling, foundation movement). The device allows all the recordings, data and forms to be stored in one place, with seamless data transfer and integration.

IMPACT

VISTRUCT will elevate the standard of structural inspections, specifically post-earthquake building assessments. It sets the stage for a safer, efficient and more resilient approach to structural building management in the face of future challenges. By combining advanced drone controls with real-time data features and analysis, the device is able to conduct comprehensive assessments to ensure more accurate, safer and accessible results.

Jenny Solitana

Jenny is an industrial designer with a passion of incorporating engineering principles into her designs. She strives to create innovative product solutions that seamlessly combine form and function that drives positive and influential change.