Simplified setup and integrated design promise faster deployment for power line inspection specialists

Gridvision, an Australian power line inspection company, has been beta testing Emesent's GX1 technology after successfully deploying Hovermap STX for vehicle-mounted corridor scanning and handheld substation work. 

As electrical engineers rather than surveyors by background, Gridvision's team initially faced a learning curve with their STX system. "We did find, being from a non-survey background, it took a little bit of getting our heads around and a little bit of effort to get the configuration right, to set up cabling and so forth and ensure that everything was operating as expected," explains Managing Director Mark Spinks.

With GX1, those barriers have disappeared.

"One of the first things that jumped out with the GX1 was that all those cables have disappeared. It's an all-in-one solution now," says Spinks. "As well as being simple and reducing the opportunity for error in the setup process which could create rework and wasted time and effort, there's the rapid deployment factor - we can turn up on site, literally open up the box, press the button and away we go."

For Gridvision's vehicle-mounted workflows, which typically involve 20-30 minute scanning runs, this streamlined setup delivers compounding benefits. "That time adds up. A one-off scan's not a problem, but when you're doing multiple scans a day for multiple days in a row, that time and effort of configuration and setup will most definitely accumulate. We see that as a significant step forward for us and the technology," Spinks notes.

The integrated design also supports Gridvision's safety priorities. "We want to take the burden off the vehicle operator. We really want the driver to be able to focus all of their attention on driving, traffic management, safety - and the campaign can be happening off to the side with absolutely minimal input from them. What we saw from GX1 is that it would support that kind of activity."

About Gridvision

Gridvision provides services across Australia, in all industries. While specialising in mining, their powerline inspections services are equally as valuable and relevant within other sectors – including government, utilities, rail, oil and gas, and light industrial, as well as for domestic powerline/powerpole owners.