Industrial Networks (INet) introduced details of a new INet Rail Automation Drone (IRAD1) on 24 February. The system is designed to conduct autonomous scans of rail-yards for inventory and inspection purposes.
Equipped with a collision detection and avoidance system, IRAD1 is designed to function as an autonomous automated equipment identification (AEI) scanner to give rail shippers a greater amount of flexibility in their railyards.
The IRAD1 will be capable of fully autonomous scanning of the railyard for inventory and inspection of a railcar in order to speed up data collection and reduce workforce requirements. The technology has the potential to reduce errors, improve overall productivity for shippers and expedite the turnaround of railcars within a facility.
INet applied for a Section 333 exemption for the IRAD1 in late 2015 and the UAS is currently pending safety testing and FAA approvals.
Jimmy Finster, president, INet, said: ‘Advancement in drone technology has allowed INet to explore what we feel is the future of rail automation. We are continuously researching new and innovative ways to help our customers improve their operations and streamline their daily processes.’