Customer Case Study: MYR Group
Transforming Line Inspections with AI Technology
MYR Group Inc. Transforms Line Inspections with AI Technology, Reducing Failures and Enhancing Industry Best Practices
Customer Case Study: MYR Group
Transforming Line Inspections with AI Technology
MYR Group Inc. Transforms Line Inspections with AI Technology, Reducing Failures and Enhancing Industry Best Practices
MYR Group Inc., a leading electric utility contractor known for its dedication to safety, reliability, and innovation, has taken a giant leap forward in the field of rope inspection.
MYR Group Inc., a leading electric utility contractor known for its dedication to safety, reliability, and innovation, has taken a giant leap forward in the field of rope inspection.
By implementing cutting-edge AI software and hardware, the company has revolutionized its inspection process, significantly reduced rope failures and are setting new standards for industry best practices.
By implementing cutting-edge AI software and hardware, the company has revolutionized its inspection process, significantly reduced rope failures and are setting new standards for industry best practices.
The problem
Utility stringing line integrity is critical in electric utility work, where any failure can result in significant safety hazards, operational disruptions, and increased costs. Traditional inspection methods, relying heavily on manual processes, were time-consuming and prone to human error. MYR Group needed a solution to augment human inspectors, ensuring more accurate and efficient rope inspections while enhancing overall safety and reliability.
Traditional visual inspections only check one side of a line at high speeds, leading to risky, split-second decisions about its safety. Accurately determining line health has been difficult, often requiring breaking the line to assess residual strength. Wagner-Smith Equipment emphasizes the importance of identifying and resolving stringing line defects.
With one of the most expansive rental fleets across the continental United States, the inspection of stringing lines is a daily, ongoing effort at Wagner-Smith Equipment Co. Even with standardized procedures in place, manual visual inspections of these lines are extremely labor intensive and require technicians to maintain constant focus on the line while it being paid out and back in.
Utility stringing line integrity is critical in electric utility work, where any failure can result in significant safety hazards, operational disruptions, and increased costs. Traditional inspection methods, relying heavily on manual processes, were time-consuming and prone to human error. MYR Group needed a solution to augment human inspectors, ensuring more accurate and efficient rope inspections while enhancing overall safety and reliability.
Solution
MYR Group played a crucial role in refining the Scope AI-driven rope inspection system to achieve a high level of accuracy. As one of the first adopters, MYR Group helped pressure-test the system extensively before its public release. By utilizing the Scope system to predict the break strength of line segments, then testing those predictions against actual break strength measurements, MYR Group provided valuable feedback that enabled continuous improvement. Their hands-on involvement allowed Scope's AI models to be iteratively fine-tuned, ultimately achieving a reliable accuracy, ensuring the system was highly effective for real-world use.
Traditional visual inspections only check one side of a line at high speeds, leading to risky, split-second decisions about its safety. Accurately determining line health has been difficult, often requiring breaking the line to assess residual strength. Wagner-Smith Equipment emphasizes the importance of identifying and resolving stringing line defects.
With one of the most expansive rental fleets across the continental United States, the inspection of stringing lines is a daily, ongoing effort at Wagner-Smith Equipment Co. Even with standardized procedures in place, manual visual inspections of these lines are extremely labor intensive and require technicians to maintain constant focus on the line while it being paid out and back in.
MYR Group played a crucial role in refining the Scope AI-driven rope inspection system to achieve a high level of accuracy. As one of the first adopters, MYR Group helped pressure-test the system extensively before its public release. By utilizing the Scope system to predict the break strength of line segments, then testing those predictions against actual break strength measurements, MYR Group provided valuable feedback that enabled continuous improvement. Their hands-on involvement allowed Scope's AI models to be iteratively fine-tuned, ultimately achieving a reliable accuracy, ensuring the system was highly effective for real-world use.
“In 2024 alone, we’ve inspected ~5 million feet of rope at one location. The MYR Group inspection process is a component of our larger asset and fleet management program. From maintenance and storage of rope, to understanding what reel of rope is sitting on what line puller across the country, the inspection process is a critical component to how we manage our assets.
“In 2024 alone, we’ve inspected ~5 million feet of rope at one location. The MYR Group inspection process is a component of our larger asset and fleet management program. From maintenance and storage of rope, to understanding what reel of rope is sitting on what line puller across the country, the inspection process is a critical component to how we manage our assets.
Josh Holland, Director
Specialty Equipment MYR Group
Josh Holland, Director
Specialty Equipment MYR Group
Josh Holland, Director
Specialty Equipment MYR Group
Implementation
The implementation process was iterative, with the inspection technology being integrated into MYR Group’s existing inspection workflows. Operators were trained to work alongside the AI system, leveraging its capabilities to enhance their inspection accuracy and efficiency. The AI system provided real-time data and insights, allowing inspectors to make informed decisions quickly, but also allowing MYR Group’s subject matter experts to provide real time feedback to the Scope team.
The implementation process was iterative, with the inspection technology being integrated into MYR Group’s existing inspection workflows. Operators were trained to work alongside the AI system, leveraging its capabilities to enhance their inspection accuracy and efficiency. The AI system provided real-time data and insights, allowing inspectors to make informed decisions quickly, but also allowing MYR Group’s subject matter experts to provide real time feedback to the Scope team.
“As the MYR Group team conducted line inspections, we were able to validate and enhance our break strength and damage detection capabilities in real time. By collaborating closely with MYR Group, we received invaluable insights into how the local team assessed damage severity and strength thresholds. This dynamic exchange of expertise allowed Scope's technology to continuously evolve and improve under real-world pressure testing. The partnership was a powerful blend of learning, adaptation, and innovation, driving the Scope system to new heights of accuracy and reliability.”
“As the MYR Group team conducted line inspections, we were able to validate and enhance our break strength and damage detection capabilities in real time. By collaborating closely with MYR Group, we received invaluable insights into how the local team assessed damage severity and strength thresholds. This dynamic exchange of expertise allowed Scope's technology to continuously evolve and improve under real-world pressure testing. The partnership was a powerful blend of learning, adaptation, and innovation, driving the Scope system to new heights of accuracy and reliability.”
Mike Poroo, President & Founder
Scope Computer Vision Technologies
Mike Poroo, President & Founder
Scope Computer Vision Technologies
The Wins & Successes
The benefits of implementing Scope were evident from the early development stages through the final handoff to operators. MYR Group has revolutionized rope inspection with AI, inspecting over ~5 million feet of rope at one location and setting new industry standards for safety and efficiency.
The benefits of implementing Scope were evident from the early development stages through the final handoff to operators. MYR Group has revolutionized rope inspection with AI, inspecting over ~5 million feet of rope at one location and setting new industry standards for safety and efficiency.
01
Reduced Rope Failures
Utility Stringing - Transmission & Distribution Projects. MYR Group operators leveraging Scope has significantly reduced rope failures in the field. By accurately capturing potential issues before they become critical, MYR Group has minimized the risk of accidents and operational disruptions.
02
Enhanced Efficiency
Automation of the inspection process has drastically cut down the time required for thorough inspections and repair planning. Human inspectors, augmented by AI technology, can now cover more ground in less time, increasing overall productivity.
03
Improved Safety
With more reliable inspections, the safety of MYR Group’s operations has improved. The AI system's precise detection of rope wear and tear ensures that only ropes in optimal condition are used, reducing the risk of failures.
04
Industry Best Practices
MYR Group has set a new benchmark for best practices in the electric utility industry. By integrating AI technology into its inspection processes, the company has demonstrated a commitment to innovation and excellence, inspiring others in the industry to follow suit.
Conclusion
MYR Group’s successful use of AI technology to automate rope inspections exemplifies the company's forward-thinking approach and dedication to safety and reliability. By embracing innovation, MYR Group has not only improved its own operations but also paved the way for industry-wide advancements in best practices. The integration of AI has proven to be a valuable investment, yielding substantial benefits and positioning them as an innovative leader in the electric utility contracting industry.
MYR Group’s successful use of AI technology to automate rope inspections exemplifies the company's forward-thinking approach and dedication to safety and reliability. By embracing innovation, MYR Group has not only improved its own operations but also paved the way for industry-wide advancements in best practices. The integration of AI has proven to be a valuable investment, yielding substantial benefits and positioning them as an innovative leader in the electric utility contracting industry.
Looking Ahead
Looking Ahead
Looking Ahead
Scope envision
With Scope systems already deployed nationwide, a wealth of inspection data is being used to refine and train networks to accurately identify and predict potential issues. The possibilities for innovation in safer operations are boundless, including the ability to detect different types of splices and more nuanced degrees of damage, as well as leveraging tension data and line health to alert operators before critical thresholds are reached.
With Scope systems already deployed nationwide, a wealth of inspection data is being used to refine and train networks to accurately identify and predict potential issues. The possibilities for innovation in safer operations are boundless, including the ability to detect different types of splices and more nuanced degrees of damage, as well as leveraging tension data and line health to alert operators before critical thresholds are reached.
About Custom MYR Group
MYR Group Inc. (MYR Group) and its subsidiaries have delivered some of the largest, most notable electrical infrastructure and commercial and industrial projects. Our integrated solutions, extensive expertise, and comprehensive approach to providing superior electrical construction services drive strong project outcomes with exceptional customer service and value.
About Custom MYR Group
MYR Group Inc. (MYR Group) and its subsidiaries have delivered some of the largest, most notable electrical infrastructure and commercial and industrial projects. Our integrated solutions, extensive expertise, and comprehensive approach to providing superior electrical construction services drive strong project outcomes with exceptional customer service and value.
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