Data annotation services for Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier -

Projectdetails

Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier is responsible for managing water safety in the area north of the North Sea Canal including Texel. Faced with increasing pressure on dykes and flood defences, they wanted to develop an innovative solution to detect cracks and other anomalies early. AI Annotation Lab was engaged to provide high-quality data annotation services essential for training AI models.

ClientHoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier

The challenge

The challenge involved collecting and annotating large amounts of aerial photos of embankments and flood defences. It was crucial to accurately label cracks and other relevant features to optimise the performance of the AI algorithms.

The approach

AI Annotation Lab provided a team of experienced annotators specialising in annotating visual data. We used a combination of manual annotation and semi-automated techniques to speed up the process and ensure accuracy. Our annotators labelled images with precision, noting cracks and other critical signals.

The collaboration

‘As Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier, we see many opportunities in using AI to improve our work processes. For example, when inspecting our dykes using drone images. We develop AI algorithms independently or in cooperation with the market and other parties.

For us, it is very important that the labelling of data, such as cracks in a dike, is done carefully in order to train the AI models as well as possible. The people at auticon appear to have the qualities to do this accurately and carefully. The fact that we can additionally fulfil our social mission is a very nice bonus.’

– Erik Vastenburg, programme manager for water safety

The result

The carefully annotated data will allow the Water Board to develop effective AI models capable of early detection of cracks in embankments. This should lead to a significant improvement in the response time to potential risks, thereby increasing the safety of flood defences. The project will not only contribute to strengthening water safety, but also to cost savings through preventive maintenance.