Manifold Analytics Pilot Program
Crowdsourced Energy Distribution Inpsection
Overview
Manifold Analytics is looking for partner relationships to test a new pilot program utilizing commercial grade cameras and incidental collections to provide detailed analysis to electricity providers and electrical cooperatives. Since the majority of an electrical company’s distribution network resides along local roads and highways, there is a significant opportunity to collect continuous metrics on the distribution infrastructure with a minimal cost to utility companies or cooperatives.
This is an example of a utility pole captured by different vehicle cameras on different days. Note: The lens distortion of the wide angle lenses has not yet been removed.
Data Collection
Manifold will supply a camera system to several drivers and have them passively collect around the coverage area. This data is downloaded on to Manifold servers each day and processed on our internal cloud to extract information about infrastructure and accumulate a detailed database of the utility’s infrastructure.
To keep cost and complexity down, Manifold is evaluating various consumer grade camera systems in the < $1000 range with a number of different modalities.
Full Spherical Capture
This video was captured with a GoPro Fusion 360 camera in a full spherical capture mode at 30 FPS.
Hemispherical Capture
Traditional Capture
This video was captured with a Rylo360 camera in hemispherical capture mode at 25 FPS
This video was captured with a gimbal stabilized DJI Osmo camera at 30 FPS
Object Classification
One of the critical aspects of the roadside inspection approach is neural network-based object detection and classification. The initial detections from classification, helps determine what other algorithms will be run downstream.
These examples show the object detection of basic utility components such as poles, cutouts, and transformers.
Rogue Connections
In addition to power, most utility poles rent space to secondary providers like cable, phone, fiber optics, etc.
The communication between utility companies, energy cooperatives, and these secondary providers
In addition to power, most utility poles rent space to secondary providers like cable, phone, fiber optics, etc.
The communication between utility companies, energy cooperatives, and these secondary providers
Line Sag
Pole Lean
In addition to power, most utility poles rent space to secondary providers like cable, phone, fiber optics, etc.
The communication between utility companies, energy cooperatives, and these secondary providers
Vegetation Encroachment
In addition to power, most utility poles rent space to secondary providers like cable, phone, fiber optics, etc.
The communication between utility companies, energy cooperatives, and these secondary providers
Post Storm Assessment
In addition to power, most utility poles rent space to secondary providers like cable, phone, fiber optics, etc.
The communication between utility companies, energy cooperatives, and these secondary providers
Geospatial Tools
Manifold KML allows a user to interact with the collected data and view information from a large system overview, down to sub-inch views all within Google Earth.
Google Earth KML
Clicking will Download KML File
Note: The imagery in this example KML has been significantly
reduced in resolution to minimize download time.
Rail Gage Measurement
The Manifold gage measurement algorithm can determine the distance between the rails on a track to within ¼”. These measurements are made using a high end photogrammetric aerial camera and Rosetta image processing algorithms.
Rail Gage Inspection Examples
Rail-Gage
Crosstie Orientation
Crosstie orientation analysis evaluates the rail crossties for signs of movement relative to the track. This allows the rail company to inspect for issues like crosstie degradation, track warping, and ballast settling without having to send a technician to inspect.
The green box ends at the end of each crosstie indicate the tie was detected and is within spec. The ties that are highlighted yellow or red indicate ties that require repair.
Rail Crosstie Orientation Inspection Examples
This video shows an older iteration of the crosstie orientation algorithm with regional statistics and mapping overlays applied.
Crosstie Spacing
Crosstie spacing analysis evaluates the rail crossties for signs of movement relative to each other. the track. This allows the rail company to inspect for issues like crosstie degradation, track warping, and ballast settling without having to send a technician to inspect.
The spacing measurements (shown between the ties) are colored to indicate the type of spacing issue. Red and yellow indicate spacing that is greater than expected and cyan and blue indicate spacing that is narrower than spec.
Rail Crosstie Spacing Inspection Examples
This video shows an older iteration of the crosstie spacing algorithm with regional statistics and mapping overlays applied.
Crosstie Length
Manifold rail inspection algorithms measure the lengths of the crossties to detect shortened or broken ties. Ties that are abnormally short can represent locations where crosstie ends have broken or become buried by ballast material.
This tie has been flagged as too short. On closer inspection, the end of this tie has broken and begun to fill in with ballast material.
Rail Crosstie Length Inspection Examples
Crosstie Split Detection
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Manifold rail inspection algorithms inspect the surface of rail crossties to determine if they are cracking or completely split. Additionally, they are inspected for ballast material rising through the crack, indicating a complete break.
The ties are flagged in regions where the splits are detected. Regions of sufficient length and width are highlighted red.
CrackPgons14.jpg)
Baseplate and Spike Analysis
The baseplate algorithm detects the positions of the plates at the end of each tie. The spikes are then analyzed based on a CAD model to assess if they are installed correctly.
CorrHoles15.jpg)
The blue boxes show base plate detection. The green circles indicate that a spike was found at a hole location and a red ‘x’ indicates that the hole is unused.
Vegetation Encroachment
The vegetation encroachment algorithm scans the track surface for signs of vegetation that is growing inside the right of way. This algorithm detects both trees/shrubs that are growing into the right of way, as well as significant growth through the ballast .
Rail Vegetation Encroachment Inspection Examples
Remote Asset Detection
Manifold uses geofencing to tag regions of interest along the flight path. Images collected inside a geofence are provided as a high-resolution data package that can be used for visual inspection of a hard-to-reach asset.
