Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. ("K" Line) and Technos Mihara Cooperation are jointly developing an innovative method for ship hull inspection and maintenance using a drone combined with an image analysis system.
To make it easier to inspect ship parts that are hard to access, such as the top side of the cargo hold and the ship hull under water, the companies are working together to develop and test aerial and underwater drones. Following trials, "K" Line states the accuracy of such inspections has increased considerably. In addition, drones make inspections more efficient and safer.
“K” Line and Technos Mihara are now taking a next step by developing a new system for ship hull inspection and maintenance through integration between drone and digital image analysis technology.
Technos Mihara Drone Development So Far
Technos Mihara based in Hiroshima, Japan, specialises in “non-destructive testing". An overview of its drone development so far:
- 2014: Start of development of a drone for marine transportation business.
- Apr 2018: Start of practical tests on board supported by “K” Line.
- Jul 2018: Start of a service of aerial crop spraying by drone.
- Jan 2019: World’s first approval from Class NK obtained as an official drone service provider for an alternative vessel inspection system.
- Jan 2019: Obtained world’s fourth (Japan’s first) approval from Bureau Veritas as an official drone service provider.
The video below is a close-up video captured by an aerial drone (by "K" Line).
Picture: Underwater drone.
