Transforming Infrastructure Inspections for Architecture Engineering & Construction (AEC) Firms

The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry is at a pivotal moment with infrastructure inspections.

In June 2024, more than 57,000 specific infrastructure improvement projects were announced in all 50 states, D.C., and U.S. territories to improve society’s infrastructure. We will continue to see those infrastructure improvement projects in motion country-wide, especially as more critical infrastructure assets are inspected.

Infrastructure inspections remain crucial for society’s smooth functioning. However, efficient and proper inspection methods for critical infrastructure like bridges, roads, and buildings can be overwhelming. Drones have become a cost-effective and innovative solution for tackling this significant challenge.

Adopting advanced inspection technologies like gNext and drones makes workflows more efficient and accurate. This article explores how the AEC industry can improve infrastructure inspections by addressing challenges and leveraging gNext’s cutting-edge technology to future-proof critical infrastructure.

Challenges with AEC Infrastructure Inspections

AEC firms that have not adopted digital inspections may face infrastructure challenges with efficiency, scalability, and collaboration. Consistent inspections help identify potential issues before they escalate into significant problems, safeguarding public safety and preventing structural issues. Challenges may include:

1. Labor-Intensive Inspection Processes & Human Error: Traditional inspection methods require significant human resources and can include human error. Inspectors often have to manually record data and interpret findings on-site, which can lead to inconsistencies.
2. Complex Data Handling and Administrative Bottlenecks: AEC inspections involve handling large volumes of data, which can be cumbersome. Manual processing slows down project timelines and creates administrative bottlenecks that delay decision-making.
3. Clear Output of Models from Drone-Captured Images: While drones have become more common in inspecting images, converting these images into clean, usable models remains challenging. Ensuring high-quality outputs requires high-quality software solutions.
4. Processing Data: The time taken to process inspection data can be lengthy, delaying critical decisions that impact project timelines.
5. Safety Concerns: Inspecting hard-to-reach or hazardous areas poses significant safety risks for inspectors. Traditional methods require physical presence in potentially dangerous environments.
6. Large-Scale Projects Challenges: Maintaining consistency and accuracy across large-scale projects is challenging due to varying conditions and manual data interpretation.

Benefits of the gNext Platform for AEC Firms

By integrating cutting-edge technology with user-focused design principles, gNext offers benefits in transforming how AEC firms conduct their inspections:

1. Efficient Data Sharing: Ensure a streamlined process from start to finish with real-time data sharing across teams.
2. Streamlined Inspections and Reporting: Automate various aspects of the inspection process with gNext. Automation reduces manual effort, minimizes errors, and accelerates turnaround times.
3. Superior Navigation: Navigate through projects seamlessly with gNext’s easy-to-use interface; no photogrammetry skills are needed.
4. Customization and Support: Share user feedback with the gNext team to customize platform options and receive dedicated support.
5. Workflow Optimization: Enhance efficiency throughout the entire project lifecycle
6. Competitive Advantage: Leverage emerging AI, machine learning, automation, and data analytics trends to stay ahead of the curve.
7. Data Security & Compliance: Ensure the security of your data through end-to-end data encryption, SOC 2 Type I Compliance, SSO support, and more.

Boost Inspection Efficiency for AEC Firms with gNext Platform Features

Addressing inspection challenges for the AEC industry requires innovative technology, efficient data management systems, real-time analytics, and workflow improvement. The gNext Platform is tailored to meet these unique challenges.

• AI-Powered InspectAssist™: Detect and quantify defects in concrete structures automatically with AI-powered InspectAssist to save time, improve efficiency, and reduce errors.

• Automatic Data Processing: With over 40 pre-defined asset types to choose from and no photogrammetry skills needed, gNext’s data processing time is quick and efficient.

• Time and Cost Savings: With advanced algorithms, gNext ensures quick processing times while maintaining high-quality output models from drone-captured images. This speeds up the entire inspection process from start to finish.
• Real-Time Analytics: gNext enables faster issue identification, which leads to quick and seamless decision-making. Stakeholders get immediate insights into potential problems before they escalate further.
• Enhances Safety: By inspecting with cutting-edge technology, safety risks, like hazardous or hard-to-reach areas or climbing structures, are significantly reduced, ensuring safer work environments.
• Streamline Workflows: gNext offers intuitive navigation features and superior photogrammetry capabilities to help teams function efficiently. Customizable features allow users flexibility tailored to their needs and ensure efficient workflow for asset management and inspections.
• Remote Collaboration: Share your maps, models, reports, and more with teams, clients, or stakeholders to keep projects moving without needing an additional license or log in.

Address AEC Infrastructure Inspection Challenges with gNext

Overall, AEC firms that aren’t using drones and inspection software have an opportunity for increased efficiencies and better client results. gNext offers innovative solutions by streamlining inspection processes and enhancing the overall data quality, paving the way for a more efficient and secure future for society’s infrastructure.

To see how effective gNext can be, read through our latest case studies:

• Aerial Data Collection Organization Case Study: gNext transformed Helios Visions’ building inspections using cutting-edge technologies.
• Water and Transportation Infrastructure Consulting Firm Case Study: gNext’s tools assisted with Consor’s structural assessment transformation journey.

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