The maintenance of thousands of masonry bridges across the UK is set to be revolutionised with the deployment of cutting-edge drone technology to automate their inspection, with the potential to save national infrastructure organisations significant costs.
A consortium of British partners, including drone company Evolve Dynamics, Birmingham City University, and National Highways, has announced their partnership on the new STRUCTURE project to explore how uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and advanced sensing technologies can support more efficient, consistent and data-driven inspection of critical infrastructure. By enabling earlier identification of structural issues and improving the quality of inspection data, the new approach aims to reduce disruption, optimise maintenance cycles and deliver long-term cost savings.
STRUCTURE will be centred on Evolve Dynamics’ WOLFE platform, a British-built 4kg UAS designed for reliability in demanding environments and the rapid integration of advanced sensor payloads. Engineers will equip WOLFE with sensing technologies capable of detecting surface and subsurface defects, supporting more consistent and repeatable inspection of masonry structures.
Data captured by WOLFE will be analysed using algorithms developed by Birmingham City University’s School of Architecture, Built Environment, Computing and Engineering. These models will support the development of automated crack detection and predictive maintenance tools, helping to identify where intervention may be required before faults become critical.
National Highways will support the programme by providing access to a range of structures for testing and validation, ensuring the technology is assessed against real-world infrastructure challenges.
Evolve Dynamics’ CEO Tom Redman commented: “We have developed our systems to perform reliably in complex, real-world environments. The STRUCTURE project is an opportunity to apply that capability to UK infrastructure, working alongside British partners to improve how critical assets are monitored and maintained. It reflects a broader trend where technology proven in high-demand environments is now being applied to national infrastructure.”
Dr Saeed Talebi, Associate Professor of Digital Built Environment at Birmingham City University, commented: “This project demonstrates how research-led innovation can transform the management of ageing infrastructure. It puts knowledge developed in the UK to work on the UK’s own critical assets. By combining Birmingham City University’s expertise in structural health monitoring, digital built environment and AI-driven data analytics with advanced drone technology, we are developing automated tools that detect defects early and provide more accurate insights into asset condition. The result is safer journeys for the public, less disruption across the network, and a longer life for thousands of masonry bridges, many of which form an important part of our national heritage.”
Fiona Smith, Senior Civil Engineer, National Highways commented: “Innovation is key to helping us manage and maintain the structures within the Historical Railways Estate more effectively. This project will explore how drone technology and advanced data analysis can improve the way we inspect our assets, providing higher-quality information to support maintenance decisions, reduce disruption, and help protect these important heritage assets for the future while delivering better value for money.”
Discover more at www.structure-ai.org.
About Evolve Dynamics
Founded in 2016, Evolve Dynamics’ ambition is to shape a safer and more secure future through the delivery of unparalleled autonomous Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) solutions. Committed to revolutionising defence, security and infrastructure through innovation and collaboration, our primary focus is on advancing automation, enhancing survivability, and the integration of state-of-the-art technologies. We’re focused on giving our customers the tools they need to gather critical intelligence, defend national borders or enhance the effectiveness of first responders.
Following the occupation of Crimea by Russian forces in 2014, our founder, Mike Dewhirst, utilised his passion for, and deep knowledge of, technology to set up a business dedicated to providing UAS support to the Ukrainian military. Evolve Dynamics has since grown substantially and now has more than 60 team members across the UK and Ukraine, serving customers worldwide in multiple industry areas including defence, security and infrastructure.
About Birmingham City University
From art, accounting and architecture to midwifery, media and mechanical engineering, BCU transforms the lives of its students by offering a wide range of contemporary and flexible courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Home to the award-winning School of Jewellery, the internationally renowned Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and the award-winning innovation centre STEAMhouse, BCU has a history stretching back to 1843. It is also focused on the future, with its new strategy – ‘Rooted in Birmingham, Reaching Beyond’ – committed to the regeneration of the city and to enhancing communities across the West Midlands.
About National Highways
National Highways is the government company which plans, designs, builds, operates and maintains England’s motorways and major A-roads, known as the strategic road network (SRN). The Historical Railways Estate (HRE) is a collection of over 3,100 structures and assets which were once part of Britain’s rail network. Since 2013, National Highways has been responsible for looking after it on behalf of the Department for Transport. Many of the structures were built more than 100 years ago. Find out more about HRE: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-work/historical-railways-estate/.
For press enquiries please contact National Highways’ press office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448 and select Option 1: National enquiries (9am to 5.30pm) & out of hours for urgent enquiries.
Contacts
Media: Rachel Drewer, Head of Marketing, Evolve Dynamics [email protected]
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