DoCoMo / KDDI / Softbank, Drop Function Strengthening by Inspection of Base Bureau ｜ New Switch by Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun
Mobile telecommunications companies are enhancing the function of flight robots (drones) used for visual inspections of telecommunications tower and base stations.NTT DOCOMO and KDDI have developed a function to automatically detect metal rust with artificial intelligence (AI) from the images taken.Softbank has begun the development of an industrial drone.The drone technology cultivated in the checking work of several tens of meters in height can also be applied to other industrial inspection work with tower and plant facilities.As the decrease in the working population continues, each company hurries the efficiency of inspection work.
NTT DOCOMO has fully replaced drones, excluding flight prohibited areas of about 50,000 telecommunications tower nationwide, and deployed more than 100 aircraft.The quality evaluation was difficult because only the defective inspection was filmed, but it was difficult to evaluate the entire tower and converted it into a database, making it easier to compare with past data and improved quality analysis. "And the director in charge of the Access Technology Division, Taku Niiyama Service Management Division, speaks.
DOCOMO also uses an image recognition technology developed in -house, and also operates an AI analysis that automatically detects rust from the image of a drone taken with a drone.Not only rust, but also rust deterioration can be detected with image recognition.We also sell drone operation services that make use of the technology cultivated in our inspection work, and will continue to work with collaboration companies in each industry to strengthen the service.
KDDI plans to introduce AI image analysis to detect bolt distortions, rust, scratches, and deformation from the end of 2021.
In addition, KDDI is promoting the development of a control system that controls base station inspection drones remotely using a mobile communication line.Currently, the workers are dispatched to the site and the routes set in advance are automatically flyed.It is expected that non -visual autonomous flights in manned areas will be lifted in the revision of the law in 22 years.If multiple drones can be operated safely by avoiding collisions, inspections can be performed remotely from offices.
Softbank jointly develops industrial drones that can be used for Futaba Electronics Industries for Tower Tower Inspection.The prototype (prototype) can fly from a remote area with a 4th -generation communication (4GLTE) compatible communication module based on Futaba Electronics Industrial Drone, and can send images and images taken in real time.By utilizing SoftBank's high -precision positioning service "Ichimiru", it can be controlled with accuracy of errors.The location information of the aerial image can also be accurate.
After conducting demonstration experiments in FY2005, this drone is incorporated into the Solasolution Solasiction service in Softbank.By performing analysis by AI on the aircraft side, we aim to develop drones that can be fully automatically operated even in environments where positioning signals do not reach, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), and implement 5G.
Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun May 11, 2021