The Kernel-100

The Kernel-100 is a compact and lightweight Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and Digital Tilt Sensor (DTS) that consists of precision tri-axis MEMS accelerometers and tri-axis MEMS gyroscopes. This industrial grade IMU measures linear accelerations and angular rates  with low noise and good repeatability. With continuous built-in test (BIT),  electromagnetic interference protection, and flexible input power requirements, the Kernel-100 is easy to use in a wide range of higher order systems. 

What is a Directional Survey?

A directional survey is a survey method that can be used to map a variety of underground drilling applications. Directional surveys are used to map a planned underground route by using aiding data provided from any combination of directional survey stations. [1] Directional survey stations serve as a reference point that corresponds to a measured depth along the actual bored path known as the actual well path. While the drill bores a hole along a planned route, data regarding the borehole inclination and azimuth is transmitted back to a computer that is controlled by an operator. This data allows the operator to control the speed and direction of the drill as it advances. Directional surveying enables the user to carry out operation with minimal disturbance to natural habitats and helps to reduce accidents that can occur from directional drilling, which is any drilling is not directly downwards. 

Introduction

Ensuring our infrastructure is running, and our job and construction sites are safe should be a top priority. However, the maintenance and inspections needed is inherently dangerous and often time-consuming and repetitive, making drones instrumental and valuable tools.

Drones can capture all kinds of data from images and videos, LiDAR scanning, mapping data, and a variety of data types related to air conditions, location, and precision location, including inertial data. As a result of using drones for these initial inspections, we can more quickly pinpoint the location and cause of the problem, and ensure that fewer humans are put in harm’s way.

The Price of Safety

As of today, the leading cause of fatalities and injury in the construction industry is due to a falling related incident. Data that was gathered by the United States Department of Labor and published by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) found that in 2017, falling incidents alone contributed to 39.2% of the total construction tragedies(1). But how do these incidents happen?

Much of the conventionally used construction equipment is designed to safely extend a worker as far as possible in order to allow them to operate in difficult to reach places that current automated processes are not capable of doing. These working platforms are called Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs). Although effective by design for accomplishing work, these machines, when used improperly, can become dangerous. Below are a few examples of commonly used equipment where risk of injury is much higher.