Ali Asmari

In this session, Ali Asmari, Director of Infrastructure Automation & AI at ULC Technologies, will describe the engineering challenges, options and achievements associated with developing the Robotic Roadworks and Excavation System (RRES), an all-electric robotic platform that combines below-ground locating sensors and AI to transform the way utility companies, energy networks, and the construction industry excavate and conduct roadworks. He will also discuss how the RRES was designed and engineered to overcome a wide range of difficulties faced when conducting traditional utility excavations, including third-party damage, disruption to traffic, and carbon emissions. Asmari will also review current capabilities of RRES include below-ground sensing, cutting the road surface, soft-touch excavation, backfill, and reinstatement. He will also review various RRES spin-off technologies including AUSMOS – a transportable GPR platform to map below-ground assets autonomously, and VEST – a vacuum excavation toolhead that uses supersonic air nozzles to agitate and break up the soil.