SYDNEY, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- An Australian researcher has developed a major robotic system to detect structural faults in buildings, tapping latest technology that offers significant export potential, authorities said on Thursday.
"This technology, which combines microwave systems with cutting-edge robotic technology and artificial intelligence algorithms, has great potential because it will be the first gold standard structural inspection system for both terrestrial and underwater applications," University of Queensland researcher Dr Adnan Trakic said in a statement about his work.
"Not only will an automated and robotic scanning system deliver better results, it will also be more cost-effective and circumvent the tedious and inaccurate manual inspection."
The technology will be able to detect rust and cracks in concrete in roads, buildings, tunnels, bridges, mining facilities and marine areas including pylons, ports and vessels, said Trakic.
The Queensland government will also be providing funding support to the project as part of a wider innovation push.
"Through our Industry Research Fellowships we're making sure that we're keeping the state's best and brightest researchers in Queensland and also attracting talented researchers from interstate and overseas," said the state's Innovation Minister Kate Jones.
"Dr Trakic's project has the potential to put Queensland at the global forefront in microwave-based AI research and development, which is likely to attract significant interest and resources from industry giants right around the world."
