Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SGPR (Development of a breakthrough spectral ground-penetrating radar revolutionizing sub-surface analysis across industries) Período documentado: 2020-01-01 hasta 2020-05-31 Resumen del contexto y de los objetivos generales del proyecto The European Union’s investment in infrastructure has been declining since 2009. This has resulted in the emergence of hard infrastructure investment gap across European energy, transport, water and sanitation, and telecom sectors, which the European Investment Bank estimates at €688 billion per year. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technology is an integral to European infrastructure development. GPR is a non-invasive geophysical method that uses radar pulses to image and study the sub-surface picture of what is below the surface of the ground for infrastructure applications across multiple industries. However, state-of-the-art GPR technologies suffer from a significant problem of lack or insufficient data regarding the sub-surface material composition and sub-surface layers and bodies. SGPR.TECH has developed next-generation surface radar that will become the basis of many applications dedicated to various industries. Unlike the impulse GPR radar, the Spectral Ground-Penetrating Radar (SGPR) technology uses FMCW (Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave) radar with a broadband antenna that conducts the analysis in the domain of frequency. Due to different ground material properties of electrical permeability in the frequency function, our innovation enables to obtain sub-surface 3D imaging with the possibility of distinguishing material composition and density. As an analogy, SGPR can see ‘colors’ and therefore enables far more precise modelling of the structures and indication of their nature and material, compared to GRP that is ‘monochrome’. Moreover, SGPR not only collects data that no other device can, but it is also fully automated, does it faster with less power demand and is cheaper. Such technological and economic leap is enabled by cloud-processing infrastructure supported by a machine learning (ML), where the burden of data processing will be transferred to the cloud so that the person using the radar receives instant results using the knowledge base created by the SGPR team (i.e. algorithms, models, databases).To make a truly disruptive product and to realize the significant business opportunity in targeted markets, the objective of the overall project is to i) build-out the cloud infrastructure, ii) miniaturize the hardware and iii) pilot the final SGPR product in industrial applications. Trabajo realizado desde el comienzo del proyecto hasta el final del período abarcado por el informe y los principales resultados hasta la fecha The work performed during the SME Instrument Phase 1 project:1. IP assessment: During the Phase 1 project we have performed a thorough patent study and freedom-to-operate analysis with the assistance of a professional Patent Office.2. Technological feasibility: SGPR has re-evaluated SGPR hardware and IT environment. 3. Market and business model assessment: We have honed-in on specific markets to identify best opportunities for impact during commercialization stages.4. Partner search: SGPR has explored collaborations with several technological partners towards Phase 2 of the project, and subsequent dissemination. 5. Risk assessment: We have conduct a comprehensive risk assessment including likelihood, impact, and contingency plans.6. Work plan for Phase 2: SGPR has constructed an elaborated Work Plan towards the execution of Phase 2 project. Avances que van más allá del estado de la técnica e impacto potencial esperado (incluida la repercusión socioeconómica y las implicaciones sociales más amplias del proyecto hasta la fecha) SGPR is a true enabler of Industry 4.0 and infrastructure transformation for Europe, and beyond. SGPR provides automation and improves information-based decision making within the context of construction, infrastructure development, raw materials mining, oil & gas extraction, as well as telecommunications and even archaeology. Our innovation provides precise and holistic information about the structure of surveyed grounds, accelerating the pace of infrastructure development, minimizing errors and costs and maximizing the long-term investment. sgpr.jpg
