Arcadis signs collaboration with Canadian start-up Niricson

Arcadis, the global design, engineering and management consultancy based out of the Netherlands, has said that it has signed a collaboration agreement with Canadian digital technology provider Niricson.

A start-up that specialises in using robotics, computer vision, and acoustic technologies in combination with Artificial Intelligence, Niricson provides its clients with predictive asset management and condition assessments for bridges and other concrete infrastructure.

Greg Steele, Global President of Mobility at Arcadis, said: “The use of digital tools and technology forms a core part of our approach at Arcadis. By working with Niricson we can bring forward an innovative and scalable solution to many asset management challenges worldwide.

“By combining our expertise with Niricson’s predictive analytics platform, we have a non-invasive way to safely inspect and monitor concrete bridge structures and improve performance through targeted maintenance programs. Ultimately, automating inspections will make the maintenance process more efficient, reduce the potential for injury, and result in less disruption to the transport network,” he added.

Niricson was launched in 2020 through the ‘Arcadis City of 2030 Accelerator, Powered by Techstars’ program, which is aimed at identifying and developing start-ups focused on transforming the natural and built environment via innovations in urban planning, resiliency, and sustainability.

Through the accelerator program, companies receive support from industry mentors to develop strategies to swiftly grow their business, fine-tune products and business development efforts, build relevant networks, and explore scalable opportunities for collaboration both within Arcadis and amongst its clients.

As one of the successful start-ups chosen in the 2020 cohort, Niricson’s core technology and products directly compliment Arcadis’ existing business and strategic vision, the statement added.

By using a combination of drones and software solutions, the technology firm said that it will be able to help infrastructure owners monitor and predict the maintenance requirements of their assets over time.

The combination of AI technologies and automation, amplified by Arcadis’ asset knowledge and expertise, allows structures to be inspected faster, more cost-effectively, and more accurately, it added.

With pilot projects already complete in both the US and Australia, the collaboration will allow Arcadis to use the technology for bridge inspections in several key markets, including the US, Canada, UK, and Australia, the statement continued.

Harsh Rathod, CEO of Niricson, added: “With the ever-increasing pace of technological change and huge variety of social and environmental challenges facing us today, creative approaches to problem solving and co-creation between start-ups and large corporations is essential. Our collaboration with Arcadis means we can scale our digital solutions across multiple markets, revolutionising how the industry approaches infrastructure condition assessment and risk management practices.

“By maximising the potential of robotics, computer vision, and acoustic technology combined with machine learning, we have created a solution with a myriad of applications across an array of industries. I’m excited to work with Arcadis to continue growing the business and bringing smart solutions to asset owners and managers worldwide,” he concluded.