Australian team is developing new IoT sensors to monitor highway health

Geoinventions Consulting Services is leading a project to develop new geotechnical sensors to monitor the health of roadways, enabled by micro-electro-mechanical systems technology.

The project is in collaboration with a Griffith University team, led by Professor Dzung Dao, and the Innovative Manufacturing CRC.

According to a statement from IMCRC the project will develop multi-functional sensors able to measure factors such as stress-strain behaviour and soil-infrastructure interaction. 

“The current technology used in geotechnical sensors is bulky and expensive. To overcome this, Griffith and Geoinventions will use cutting-edge MEMS technology to create a compact, waterproof and energy-efficient sensor that’s uniquely suited to Australia’s environment,” said Dao. 

“By embedding this MEMS technology, we’re offering the market an effective Internet of Things (IoT) based alternative to traditional geotechnical monitoring that can be deployed at relatively low cost.”

The project is being assisted through a grant through the IMCRC’s activate program, and has a total budget of $420,000.

Geoinventions’ Operations Director Barry Kok said the work would help his company establish itself as a leading Australian geotechnical consultant, as well as an instrument manufacturer, in collaboration with Australian manufacturers

“It will also be a catalyst for Geoinventions to migrate from using the conventional ‘one sensor, one location’ ‘vibrating wire’ sensor technology to the proposed ‘multi-sensors, one location’ efficient MEMS-driven sensor technology,” he explained. 

“This will empower Geoinventions to push boundaries in the competitive business world and make an impact in national and international scenes currently dominated by European and US entities.”

Picture: IMCRC

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