The SPRINCE project is based on the idea that crane accidents caused by an obstructed view are preventable, thus it promotes a real-time computer-aided visual feedback and gives its assessment. In this frame, the project aims to find the best platform which can improve the positioning phase performance of industrial cranes by offering high execution speed, ease of integration, low cost, low power consumption, less computer memory and good support with precise position visual guidance (video tracker with web cameras) used to navigate the object into the correct position.
The basic methodology of SPRINCE comprises four main steps.
(1) the implementation of a real-time object detection solution to industrial cranes;
(2) the development of a risk indicator tool for the implemented solution;
(3) the application of the innovative indicator tool;
(4) the economic appraisal expected to show that internal rate of return is above the relevant average weighted interest rate and the payback period of investment is less than three years.
SPRINCE aims to give and test innovative solutions for smart cranes resulting in a higher quality of safety, health and environment and lower societal costs and addressing the following topics of the SAF€RA call:
T1 – The management of the emerging risk derived by the increased use of integrated operations/remote operations in process industry by means of an improved virtualization technology;
T2.1 – The introduction of an improved technology reducing the productivity drop due to human-machine interface problems, the large financial losses due to costs for accidents, the costs for frequent repairs, the disturbance in material handling schedules and the increased work-load on other equipment and their consequent longer downtime due to frequent breakdowns;
T2.2 – The improved virtualization technology offers the possibility of improving the safety, sustainability and efficiency of hazardous materials multimodal transport.