Project description DEENESFRITPL An automated drilling process for digitisation and energy network expansion Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) is a minimal-impact trenchless method used to lay underground cables under built-up or protected areas. It is therefore an important tool for expanding broadband and energy infrastructure. However, this is hindered by the shortage of skilled workers required to perform HDDs. The EU-funded Terra SmartHDD project aims to negate the need for experienced personnel by completely automating the HDD process using AI-based soil type and wear detection. This can be monitored by less experienced personnel while also reducing the risk of errors from 35 % to 5 %. The process will become faster, safer and more cost-effective, helping civil engineering companies expand their capacities, and accelerating digitisation and energy network expansion. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is used whenever trenchless methods are required - to lay cables under built-up or protected areas, or to minimise infrastructure disruption. HDD is thus one of the most important tools for expanding broadband and energy infrastructure. The EU's Digital Agenda should provide all EU citizens access to at least 30Mbit/s Internet by 2020.However, these targets will not be met by 2020, partly because capacities of civil engineering companies are insufficient. Despite a strong order situation, they are unable to increase capacities due to a shortage of skilled workers. For the execution of HDDs, experienced specialists are required to mix the drilling fluid essential for the drilling according to feeling. If they make mistakes, the equipment is not properly cooled, lubricated, and the drilling channel is not stabilized, causing damages of up to 45.000€.As award-winning H&E Bohrtechnik GmbH, we are Germany's only full-service provider for HDD, market leader and one of the few in this industry to develop our own innovations for industry-specific problems. To solve the problem of skills shortage, we developed Terra Smart HDD, which was named Craft Project of the Year in 2018. The unit allows to completely automate the process, which was previously dependent on experienced skilled workers, using AI-based soil type and wear detection, so that not only less experienced personnel can be hired for monitoring, but the risk of errors is also reduced from 35% to 5%. This results in a faster, safer and more cost-effective process and will enable civil engineering companies to increase capacities and to boost digitisation and energy network expansion.With Tracto-Technik and Ricona/Ditch Witch as distributors, we are thus addressing all civil engineering companies offering HDD services and target a market with a CAGR of 13.2%. With Terra Smart HDD, we expect an additional cumulative turnover of € 19.2 million and 27 new employees by 2023. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesinternetengineering and technologycivil engineering Programme(s) H2020-EU.2.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs Main Programme H2020-EU.3. - PRIORITY 'Societal challenges H2020-EU.2.1. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies Topic(s) EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020 - SME instrument Call for proposal H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020 See other projects for this call Sub call H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1 Funding Scheme SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1 Coordinator H & E BOHRTECHNIK GMBH Net EU contribution € 50 000,00 Address IM GEWERBEPARK 6 07646 STADTRODA Germany See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region Thüringen Thüringen Saale-Holzland-Kreis Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 71 429,00
