Orbica Wins AI Solutions Award in Germany

Orbica, a Christchurch-based location data company, has beat start-ups from around the world at the Beyond Conventions event in Essen, Germany, where it won the Thyssenkrupp Drone Analytics Challenge and the People’s Choice Award for their innovative solution combining 3D geospatial datasets and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The challenge was to develop an automatic progress tracking solution for Thyssenkrupp’s large construction sites using imagery collected from drones on a regular basis.

“Everyone’s talking about AI these days, but we can really unleash its power by combining it with geospatial processes and 3D visual modelling for smart, autonomous feature recognition and automated reporting.” said Kurt Janssen, Orbica CEO.

Orbica’s solution works by a drone collecting images to create a complex point cloud model that is then processed through a feature detection algorithm and GIS engine. It is then compared to the previous week’s model to determine progress. This automated system would replace physical inspections and manual reports and significantly reduce costs and improve efficiency.

A total of 220 start-ups applied and 43 delivered pitches at Beyond Conventions, which was hosted by Thyssenkrupp with support from corporate participants Innogy, Schacht One, Open Grid Europe and Funke Medien NRW.

Thyssenkrupp is a diversified industrial group with a growing share of capital goods and service businesses and traditional strengths in materials. It employs more than 158,000 employees in 79 countries.