Keyur B

Keyur B

November 17, 2022 9 minutes to read

Remote Visual Inspection: How Can it Transform Industry Operations Digitally?

Remote Visual Inspection: How Can it Transform Industry Operations Digitally?

During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, distance is often the new norm. Digital technologies have made it feasible to work together although separated by thousands of kilometers and to maintain the continuity of services and production. These cutting-edge remote technologies have been applied to inspection tasks across numerous industries. Remote visual inspection has been shown to be valuable for a variety of purposes, including risk and asset management, industrial maintenance, site inspection, and supply chain inspection. It boosts productivity, lowers expenses, promotes safety and sustainability. 

The years 2020–21 were by far the most disruptive for enterprises worldwide. Supply networks were disrupted, and the pandemic’s aftereffects still affect many countries with travel restrictions. The manufacturers of everything from electronics to autos are still being hampered by the current chip scarcity. It is anticipated to persist for a while. Software for remote video inspection has become very popular in these conditions. It permits quality control and safety inspections to proceed in spite of these limitations. In spite of the unstable economy, remote video inspection solutions by Plutomen has aided in maintaining commercial operations. So, what precisely is remote visual inspection? Let’s take a look. 

What is Remote Visual Inspection? 

Remote visual inspection (RVI) is a non-intrusive method for remotely inspecting the interior of a system, object, or structure. Technicians can use this technique to visually examine the interior of an object or system without having to physically enter it. Several industries, including manufacturing, oil and gas, power generation, and aerospace, to mention a few, frequently use RVI.

A variety of tools, including videoscopes, fiberscopes, and borescopes, can be used to perform RVI. The technician can see into the thing or system being examined thanks to the tools’ camera and light source. The technician can utilize the display screen to closely inspect the interior of the vehicle using the camera’s ability to transmit photos or video.

RVI is a helpful tool for a number of uses, such as:

  • Checking for corrosion, blockages, or other problems inside pipes, tanks, and other containers
  • Checking for wear or damage inside engines, gearboxes, and other mechanical components
  • Checking the interior of buildings for damage or other issues, including the walls, ceilings, and roofs
  • Checking the interiors of ships, aeroplanes, and other vehicles for rust, damage, or other problems

With the help of Remote Video Inspection, a qualified inspector will often do an in-person examination of a good, service, or job site. Almost every business, from manufacturing to construction, uses inspections.

The only difference between a remote visual inspection and an in-person inspection is that the inspector watches the procedure live on a screen or virtual enabled view remotely. Another commonly used term with the same idea is virtual inspection. 

Reasons to use Remote Visual Inspection 

Various sectors frequently engage in inspection activities. They frequently involve a location or testing and measuring tools. To ascertain whether the site or the equipment is in compliance with predetermined goals, the findings are compared to certain criteria and regulations. 

Inspections have traditionally been conducted on-site, but as more businesses use digital tools and technology, the global market for digital inspection is predicted to reach $28.9 billion by 2025, according to a latest ReportLinker report. Adopting digital technology can streamline inspections and save money and time. 

These inspection digitalization solutions include remote visual inspection options. Using devices like smartphones, tablets, connected eyewear and headsets, remote cameras, drones, or endoscopes, experts can remotely visually analyze a piece of machinery or a location. Through this procedure, it is possible to verify the equipment’s quality and integrity in accordance with corporate and industry requirements without having to leave the office. In many different industries, including manufacturing, automotive, oil & gas, telecom, aerospace, construction, maritime or energy, remote visual inspection enables employees to work together from thousands of miles away or in difficult-to-reach places or equipment. 

Introducing Plutomen Connect

Use cases for Remote Visual Inspection 

Solutions for remote visual inspection go well beyond the straightforward transmission of a video stream. Examples include multi-participant inspections, document sharing, remote HD photo taking, recording, real-time annotations, video pointer guidance, inspection checklists that enable a workflow of inspection points to be followed, defect recognition and characterization, electronic signature, and automatic generation of inspection reports.  

Several uses for remote visual assessment are as follows:

Risk and Asset Management 

Identifying and assessing the hazards to which an organization is exposed constitutes risk management. Onsite inspection can be used in this situation to carry out virtual audits, examine and verify particular components during production or commissioning, or lessen the risk to personnel when checking hazardous equipment. Companies may retain business continuity while ensuring the safety and compliance of their assets and goods through remote inspections. Additionally, remote inspections facilitate quicker decision-making and reaction times. Companies in the oil and gas, maritime, offshore, automotive, construction, pharmaceutical, energy, and other sectors may be impacted by this use case. 

Industrial Maintenance 

Unexpected equipment malfunctions and downtime can have a big influence on a manufacturing line’s expenses and organization. Reduced machine downtime can be achieved with remote visual inspection. Due to the expert’s remote support of the technician during the inspection, it can lower the risk of breakdowns by increasing the reliability of preventative checks. It might also be important if something goes wrong. After a breakdown, there is a race against time to get a qualified technician to the scene, which may take several days. An on-site technician can receive prompt assistance from a remote specialist who will direct him as he examines the machine or piece of equipment in order to make a quicker diagnosis. 

Remote Audits & Inspections 

Assisted Reality is already used for factory commissioning, audit and inspection of the shop floors. And this is not limited to factories, the use case extends to numerous industries. Effective and timely inspections are critical to fulfilling deadlines in addition to being essential to safety and quality management. Architects and civil engineers do build and site inspections on a daily basis. Due to the intricacy of certain large projects, the architect must frequently visit the site to address questions as they are raised. According to a recent survey, access issues to the site account for 70% of requests for extensions of delivery deadlines. Using remote visual inspection, it is simple and unnecessary to bring together architects, engineers, and other parties who are involved.  

Supply Chain Inspection 

Inspection of the supply chain’s suppliers helps to reduce the cost effect of defective equipment and ensures that the equipment acquired will fulfil standards. They can include everything from product verification to operational risk. They may be carried out by the business itself or by specialized outside firms. The engagement of different specialists may be necessary for validation of compliance, depending on the product. Suppliers can also be many and spread all throughout the globe. Remote visual inspection can be helpful to access several specialists simultaneously and to cut down on travel to various suppliers, whether the process is internal to the company or outsourced. 

Related: Remote Video Inspection Process: Guidelines for hassle-free Operations

Remote Visual Inspection’s advantages 

The travel restrictions and distance requirements implemented during the COVID-19 outbreak hastened the implementation of remote visual inspection. Remote visual inspection system has demonstrated its long-term worth to a range of businesses over this time, enabling the continuation of crucial infrastructure projects. Usually, different remote visual inspection tools like digital cameras, borescopes, and videoscopes are used to help the instructor. These remote visual inspection tools ease the task of instructor. Moreover, remote visual inspection boosts productivity, lowers expenses, and promotes security. The following are a few advantages of adopting remote visual inspection: 

Decision-making process quickening 

Response times are sped up using remote inspection, which also enables multiple team members to participate and receive rapid feedback. Decisions can be made more swiftly in this way. 

Enhanced operational effectiveness 

More inspections can be finished in the same amount of time by eliminating travel. By lowering the wait time for an inspector to become available, the efficiency gains are also passed on to the consumer. 

Increased safety 

Fewer workers will be needed on site thanks to remote visual inspection, lowering on-site dangers. Moreover, the inspector need not visit the site physically, avoiding any potentially dangerous environment. 

Carbon Footprint

Remote video inspections lessen travel to sites, which are frequently distributed across the nation and even globally, which reduces carbon footprint. The number of these visits might be restricted, and virtual inspections could be used to assess a company’s operations. 

Ensure business continuity 

Inspections can go forward despite access issues or travel limitations at the supplier site. To reduce risk, up the frequency of inspections for clients in remote areas. Reduced fatigue among auditors and inspectors as a result of travel. 

Minimum Requirements for Remote Video Inspection 

When health and safety regulations pose a threat to business continuity, remote video inspection system includes a real-time video inspection employing smart phones, tablets, and smart glasses can assist sustain global supply chains and operating schedules. 

  • Any internet-connected smartphone or tablet from the modern era. compatible with both iOS and Android. 
  • For video streaming, Wi-Fi and cellular connections with a minimum bandwidth of 100kb/s are advised. Networks with at least 4G speed should offer performance attributes. 
  • A personal Internet dongle should be taken into consideration when traveling to isolated areas with poor or no access. 
  • If working in a noisy area, use headphones for voice audio. 
  • Although smart glasses will be used on some projects, no additional hardware is necessary. 

Related: AR Glasses VS Smart Glasses: Understanding the Difference

 Summary 

It’s past time we surpassed the conventional inspection procedures used on sites. The development of newer technologies leads to ongoing changes in the global economy. All industries should be able to conduct remote video inspection. AR could aid in harm reduction and efficacy maintenance. It might also significantly affect how much money the sector raises. 

At Plutomen, we provide a range of cutting-edge augmented reality and assisted reality solutions for diverse industries to provide customers a fantastical experience. Get in touch with our specialists to get a step closer to the tool of your dreams. 

FAQs

Remote visual inspection is an examination of a good, service or job site conducted remotely by a technical expert. Here inspectors no need to visit on site to conduct the inspection. The inspector watches the procedure live on a screen or virtual enabled view remotely.

There are several use cases for remote visual inspection like identifying the mistakes to which an organization is exposed constitutes risk management, reduced machine downtime, used for factory commissioning, supply chain inspection and many more.

Over this time, remote visual inspection has proved its importance to various businesses. It not only boosts productivity, but also lowers the expenses, promotes security, make quick decisions, and ensures business continuity.
Keyur B

Keyur B

CEO, Founder of Plutomen

With more than 12+ years of experience in the world of enterprises, technology, and metaverse, Keyur Bhalavat is leading Plutomen to gain meaningful partnerships & to have a strong clientele network. He is one of the board members of GESIA (Gujarat IT Association Ahmedabad).

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