NTT Creates A Tech That Detects Corrosion of Steel Materials From Images Taken From Digital Camera

Many steel structures such as bridges, steel towers and guardrails exist across the world, and the aging of these infrastructure facilities is a major social problem. The main cause of deterioration of these facilities is corrosion of steel. Corrosion in the equipment causes the steel to lose its cross section as it progresses, and the durability and load resistance of the equipment gradually deteriorate, which may eventually lead to damage or collapse. Therefore, it is important for the facility manager or authorities to inspect the deterioration condition to properly diagnose the remaining durability and load-bearing capacity.

In a latest, there is a significant advancement in infrastructure maintenance technology. The NTT Corporation has developed an image recognition technology that can automatically detect corrosion on steel materials from images and estimate the depth of corrosion with an accuracy of 0.44 mm. This technology enables a highly accurate diagnosis of the durability and load-bearing capacity of infrastructure, leading to reduced maintenance costs and more timely repairs.

It's expected to be implemented in NTT Group companies by the end of FY2024 and will be showcased at the Tsukuba Forum 2024, scheduled for May 16-17, 2024. This innovation could greatly contribute to the sustainability of infrastructure by extending the life of facilities and ensuring safety through early detection and repair of potential issues. It's a great example of how technology can be used to solve real-world problems and improve efficiency.

How does the image recognition work?

The image recognition technology developed by NTT Corporation works by using a digital camera to take images of infrastructure facilities. It then automatically detects areas of corrosion on steel materials within these images. The technology is capable of estimating the depth of corrosion with an accuracy of 0.44 mm.

Here's a simplified explanation of how it might work:

1. Image Capture: A digital camera captures images of the infrastructure, such as bridges, steel towers, and guardrails.

2. Corrosion Detection: The image recognition system scans the images for signs of corrosion, which could include changes in color, texture, or shape compared to non-corroded areas.

3. Depth Estimation: Using advanced algorithms, the system estimates the amount of steel that has been lost due to corrosion, which is indicative of the depth of the corrosion.

4. Diagnosis: The remaining thickness of the steel material is measured, allowing for a highly accurate assessment of the equipment's durability and load-bearing capacity.

 

This technology helps in timely repairs and maintenance, ensuring the safety and longevity of infrastructure facilities. It's scheduled to be put into practical use at NTT Group companies by the end of FY2024 and will be showcased at the Tsukuba Forum 2024.

Infrastructure Facilities that can Benefit from this Technology

The technology developed by NTT Corporation for detecting and estimating the depth of corrosion on steel materials can benefit a wide range of infrastructure facilities. These include:

Bridges: Ensuring the safety and longevity of bridges, which are critical for transportation.

Steel Towers: Maintaining the structural integrity of towers that support various utilities.

Guardrails: Assessing the condition of guardrails that protect motorists on roads and highways.

Steel Pipelines: Monitoring pipelines that transport water, gas, and oil to detect leaks or weaknesses.

This technology is particularly useful for aging infrastructure, where corrosion can lead to deterioration and potential failure. By providing a high-precision diagnosis of equipment durability and load-bearing capacity, it allows for timely repairs and maintenance, ensuring the safety and extending the life of these facilities. It's a proactive approach to infrastructure management that can lead to significant cost savings and improved public safety.

Global Adoption 

There are indeed plans for the international adoption of NTT Corporation's corrosion detection technology. The technology has significant potential to benefit infrastructure maintenance worldwide. While the specific details of international expansion have not been disclosed, the technology's showcase at the Tsukuba Forum 2024 indicates a move towards broader awareness and potential global partnerships.

The global market for corrosion inhibitors is projected to reach USD 11.33 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2023-2030. This suggests a strong interest and need for corrosion prevention technologies across various industries, which could drive the adoption of NTT's technology in international markets.

The accurate detection and diagnosis of corrosion in steel infrastructure can help prevent catastrophic failures, reduce maintenance costs, and optimize resource allocation, making it an attractive solution for countries looking to improve their infrastructure management. As such, it's reasonable to expect that NTT Corporation will seek partnerships and opportunities to implement this technology in other countries following its initial rollout in Japan.

Hungarian Startup Lazy Felix Just Entering India Might Change the Way India's Chrome Users Use the Internet Forever

Lazy Felix Launches Innovative Chrome Extension for Streamlined Image Management for India's English-Speaking & Tech-Savvy Market

Hungarian startup, Lazy Felix, proudly announces the launch of its innovative Chrome extension, specifically designed to simplify and streamline the process of managing images for India's vast English-speaking and tech-savvy population. This free and user-friendly add-on promises to significantly enhance the efficiency of professionals like teachers, doctors, journalists, marketers, as well as everyday internet users across the country.

India is home to a rapidly growing community of English-speaking, technologically adept individuals who are constantly seeking tools to improve their online experience. The Lazy Felix Chrome extension is poised to become an indispensable tool for this demographic, eliminating the tedious download-upload cycle typically associated with image management.

András Györfi, the founder of Lazy Felix, enthusiastically states, "Our Chrome extension is not only incredibly easy to use but also has the potential to revolutionize how India's tech-savvy English-speaking population interacts with images online. We are thrilled to introduce Lazy Felix to this vibrant market and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on millions of users."

The Lazy Felix Chrome extension available on www.lazyfelix.com offers a seamless and intuitive user experience. After installing the extension, users can hover over an image, click on the cat's paw icon that appears, and mark the selected file. The Lazy Felix panel, accessible from the upper right corner of the browser window, displays all marked images, making it simple to insert them into emails, Facebook posts, or other digital platforms without the need to download and re-upload files.

In addition to streamlining image management, Lazy Felix allows users to organize marked images into folders, catering to both work and personal needs. This organizational feature ensures that users can easily locate and access images, boosting productivity and minimizing the time spent searching for specific files.

Moreover, the Lazy Felix Chrome extension is committed to delivering a user-friendly experience that is accessible to all. A comprehensive tutorial video, available in English, ensures that users can easily understand and utilize the extension to its full potential, even without prior knowledge of the language.

With digital technology becoming increasingly ingrained in everyday life, the Lazy Felix Chrome extension is well-positioned to become an essential tool for India's tech-savvy English-speaking community. Its simple yet powerful features have the potential to significantly improve the digital experience for millions of users in the region.

The Lazy Felix Chrome extension is now available for free on the Chrome Web Store, ready to transform the digital landscape for India's internet users. Don't miss the opportunity to enhance your online experience with this ground-breaking tool.

The video below explains the working of the extension:

The extension can be added to Chrome from the Google Webstore, here:

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/lazy-felix/ndabodbljahojbefpjklnmkghopppccg?hl=hu

For more information about Lazy Felix and its revolutionary Chrome extension, visit www.lazyfelix.com

Snap2life mobile app connects printed world to the web

Snap2Life is an augmented realty based mobile app that in short combines the printed world to the Web. The snap2life app detects preset images and links the user in seconds with defined websites, images and product videos or sweepstakes.

If you search something on Google it will show you results of probably million pages online and only from web world however all that is missing the print media and billboards, Snap2Life fill this gap and include print world too when you shot an image via this mobile app.

The Snap2Life App for iPhone and Android Devices link, the user through the photographing an image in seconds to image films, Product videos, websites or sweepstakes. The subject here is the key.

The snap (shot image) can be anything like the metro sign , the bus stop , the fast-food chain , the drugstore chain, petrol station brand, the parking sign , the logo of the road card provider , a snap of the cinema chain or a newspaper logos. Snap2Life app will than you the results page with result from not just online content but it could be from print world too like - calendar,newspapers, magazines, catalogs and posters which will vary depending upon the shot images.

The company claims that Snap2Life is better than a QR Code since they just need the motive and no special code. The company explains that magazines, catalogs or posters are read on daily by millions of people however related content and offers can not be made ​​available to them when they read them, Snap2Life does this by creates a direct link between a subject (image captured by mobile via Snap2Life app) and its associated online content.

The app is developed by Prisma Global Limited based out of Mumbai and Berlin and the company has also won The Mobby 2013 award acknowledged as a distinctive mobile application in the Augmented Realty sector and was accepted as the most innovative and state-of-the-art technology. The company was recognized for the 'Best use of mobile media in advertisement' in the category of Marketing and Advertising.