Recent trends in regional markets show that infrastructure plays a key role in economic growth. However, as one of the drivers of economic development, businesses often contend with ageing facilities that deteriorate over time.
Companies belonging to big industries like energy, oil, and gas require constant upgrading in this regard or else suffer significant costs to doing business. For instance, in the United States, infrastructure damage has cost USD10.7 billion dollars in the period from 2001 to 2007 alone.
The good news is that such losses are preventable. The only challenge is that these solutions are not yet widespread due to the fact that they are rooted in one of the younger industries developed in recent years: artificial intelligence, or AI.
AI and optimising infrastructure
AI can assist oil and gas companies in well-placement analytics and analysing pipeline flows. These optimise not only workflow in the energy industry, but also reduce possible risks such as leakages and accidents. Other technologies that have helped improve operations in such industries include data capture images, which help assess the situation on the ground before sending out manpower to inspect ageing infrastructure.
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Skyller is one of the companies that aim to solve these industrial problems through data capture and machine learning. Equipping fellow businesses with the tools to analyse and strategise their next steps, Skyller promotes a safe, smart, and cost-efficient way of dealing with ageing infrastructure. Apart from this, the company also deals with other logistical concerns such as the deployment of pipeline inspectors and offshore platforms.
Skyller’s modern solutions to modern problems
Siwat Saibua, Skyller co-founder and CEO, traces Skyller’s vision in its name––Skyller means “scholar,” and in this sense, the company’s team of experts can be seen as a group of scholars providing smart solutions to modern problems.
Using drones, robots, satellites, and any image data acquisition devices, Skyller turns to information modelling, or what Siwat refers to as the “digital twin.” From here, clients are able to gauge problems on the ground without necessarily being the first responder.
Skyller’s clients can hire the company to undertake the data capture and locate specific issues in their infrastructure and logistics. Alternatively, clients are also free to do this themselves and ask help from Skyller for tools and data processing only. Siwat notes that Skyller has a ready fleet of drones and robots mostly in Thailand so far. For international clients, staff can be trained by the Skyller team to use the company’s tools and also open for collaboration of fleet partnership. (trained or collaboration partnership local drone service)
Although most of the examples that have been mentioned so far are in the oil and gas industries, Skyller is also active in other industries, such as renewable energy, telecommunications, and construction.
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For renewable energies, Skyller can help in onshore and offshore solar farms, wind turbine generators, power transmission and distribution networks, and substations. Their assistance in telecommunications still largely concerns infrastructure by way of inspecting and assessing telecom towers. Similarly, their engagement with construction involves outdoor stockpiles and construction sites.
Such engagements can greatly benefit these industries by cutting down on costs and improving staff retention and satisfaction. For the former, the data imaging derived from Skyller’s data acquisition devices can help identify and address any infrastructural issues before they get worse. Reporting of issues will also be easier in this manner, as data captured can be analysed in real-time. For the latter, staff’s lives are not put at risk in inspecting faulty ageing facilities, and they get to be equipped with helpful technology.
For Skyller, the keyword in addressing issues in infrastructure is efficiency. The analysis of these issues in real-time is what makes AI so crucial.
Instead of waiting for human intervention, large threats such as pipe or gas leaks can be avoided. With the help of agile machines and the knowledgeable eye of Skyller’s experts, these problems can be minimised so that companies incur fewer costs, and at the same time, prevent environmental damage.
Environmental opportunities and expanding reach
For the latter point, Siwat explains that environmental safety is part of Skyller’s vision, apart from reducing operational hazards and expenses. As an example, Siwat cites the image capture and processing on the coastal patrol of oceanic wildlife, analysing any anomalous events such as coral reef bleaching and rising ocean temperatures.
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At present, Skyller is looking for global partners to collaborate with to improve its services. If widely used, the company’s tools can greatly help not just other businesses, but also mitigate environmental damage through data. Potential collaborations could help save not just costs, but also lives.
The potential for expansion and improvement is endless, especially considering what the company’s devices can do. Innovation takes the lead in mitigating potential impacts of climate change, improving company efficiency, and ensuring worker safety.
For more information on Skyller, visit http://www.skyller.co/.
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This article is produced by the e27 team, sponsored by Skyller
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