Worldwide unique automated mixing and dosing technology for precise dosed and homogenous mixed drilling fluids for horizontal directional drilling with AI-based soil type and wear detection

Informations projet

Terra SmartHDD

N° de convention de subvention: 876306

DOI

10.3030/876306

Projet clôturé

Date de signature de la CE 25 Juillet 2019

Date de début 1 Août 2019

Date de fin 31 Janvier 2020

Financé au titre de

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Coût total

€ 71 429,00

Contribution de l’UE

€ 50 000,00

Coordonné par

H & E BOHRTECHNIK GMBH
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Terra SmartHDD (Worldwide unique automated mixing and dosing technology for precise dosed and homogenous mixed drilling fluids for horizontal directional drilling with AI-based soil type and wear detection)

Période du rapport: 2019-08-01 au 2020-01-31

Résumé du contexte et des objectifs généraux du projet

Observing the current challenges in the segment of civil engineering like skills shortages, equipment damages, and drill channel breakdown, H&E Bohrtechnik developed the new technology Terra SmartHDD. It’s a worldwide unique automated mixing and dosing technology for precise dosed and homogeneous mixed drilling fluids for e.g. horizontal directional drilling (HDD) with AI-based soil type and wear detection.
The new technology primarily addresses the market segments of HDD and vertical drilling as well as the segments anchor drilling and microtunneling. All those four drilling procedures are carried out by civil engineering companies. The civil engineering market is expecting a continuous CAGR of 1.18 % in the coming years.

Travail effectué depuis le début du projet jusqu’à la fin de la période considérée dans le rapport et principaux résultats atteints jusqu’à présent

During the action, a feasibility study was conducted assessing market and competition landscape. Moreover, technological specifications and functions were verified by customer involvement. This was done by interviews with potential customers and other stakeholder groups. An implementation plan was elaborated for successful market introduction and the results of the feasibility study were integrated into a business plan including a commercialisation strategy and ideal sales concept for defined markets. With HDD, vertical drilling, anchor drilling and microtunneling, attractive applications and market segments have been identified. Moreover, competition analysis has shown that competitive landscape is very comfortable as there is no direct competitor offering a technology with the same advantages Terra SmartHDD has.
After identification of potential applications and market segments and after evaluating market potential, competitive landscape and feedback of involved customers and stakeholders, we conclude to continue with this project and to apply for EIC accelerator/phase 2-funding. The objectives, concept and approach and the impact described in the grant are still valid and were validated during the phase 1-project.

Progrès au-delà de l’état des connaissances et impact potentiel prévu (y compris l’impact socio-économique et les conséquences sociétales plus larges du projet jusqu’à présent)

To perfectly address the customer and user needs in the identified market segments, we have come to experience that we will have to technically adapt our technology Terra SmartHDD. This refers to optimisations in the AI-module, data acquisition and processing, user interface and the mixing technology itself. Furthermore, a water treatment unit has to be implemented and two different product versions, as well as different tank types, have to be developed. This may cause several technical and commercial project risks which can be appropriately addressed by respective risk mitigation measures.
During the elaboration of commercialisation strategy and based on market feedback, we concluded that we have to use several communication channels and measures to directly address civil engineering companies and different stakeholders.
To develop and introduce a market-mature technology, we will have to follow an implementation plan considering needed technical adaptions, production of samples, demonstration and validation of the adapted Terra SmartHDD technology, upscaling of its production and the infrastructure and preparation of market entry and commercialisation by tailored commercialisation measures.
The introduction of Terra SmartHDD will reduce the impact of skilled worker shortage in the civil engineering sector as the employment of young, less experienced workers are possible as they will be supported in their work by Terra SmartHDD. Moreover, the introduction of AI based and digitalised processes will improve the attractiveness of our sector for young people and increases their interest in starting an apprenticeship in our sector. The companies are able to grow and expand their capacities which will speed up developments in the downstream sectors like the expansion of broadband, 5G and underground cabling for improving the electricity infrastructure.

First prototype of Terra SmartHDD