360 degree Visual Inspection System

360VIS

Encada teamed to form RethinkTechnologies and together developed the 360VIS. 360VIS uses a 360 Degree Video and High-Resolution Camera Technology to Improve the Visual Identification of Exceptions During and Post Hi-Rail Inspections. A satellite-based GPS location referenced spherical camera (i.e. 360-degree camera) records and streams a continuous 360-degree image of high-rail track inspections in the cab of the vehicle while high resolution still imagery of the guideway is recorded and displayed in real time on a tablet computer, handheld device, or an AR/VR headset. Automated measured exceptions are preloaded. A countdown routine on-board guides the inspection vehicle to (safety and maintenance level) exceptions sites with options to stop, inspect and assess the cause at the site or rely on recorded digital stills and video observations post inspection. The field inspector can pan left, right, up, down and zoom-in to an area of interest from the cab of the vehicle thereby reducing the need to get out of the vehicle. The use of this method and apparatus as an integrated part of the track management and monitoring program will improve the reliability of identifying defects and associated root cause analysis assessment, reduce the time required for walking the track, improve worker safety and allow more frequent, comprehensive and convenient analysis of key track components and area boundaries for certain hazards. Patent pending.