TU Dublin Spin-Out SM:ART Partners with Northern Ireland to Trial Innovative Bridge Intelligence Solution
TU Dublin spin-out SM:ART, an Enterprise Ireland funded project developed by Dr Sean Bond and his team at TU Dublin supported by TU Dublin Innovation, today announced a significant partnership with the Department for Infrastructure, Northern Ireland (DfI-NI). Through this collaboration, SM:ART will further develop its operational intelligence and advanced corrosion monitoring system, which is set to be deployed across a range of bridges in the region.
By installing SM:ART on aging concrete bridge assets, DfI-NI can proactively monitor deterioration risks; reducing downstream maintenance, repair, and replacement costs. Meanwhile, the SM:ART team will gather invaluable data to validate their technology in real-world scenarios, continually refining and advancing the solution.
SM:ART represents a shift in bridge and infrastructure maintenance: from reactive repairs to proactive monitoring. Leveraging novel AI-driven sensor technology, and automated alerts, SM:ART delivers real-time insights into a structure’s integrity. This partnership with DfI-NI marks a critical step toward validating SM:ART’s technology and transforming how public agencies manage their most vital assets.
Dr Sean Bond, SM:ART Project Leader and Senior Postdoctoral Researcher at TU Dublin, stated:
We are excited to collaborate with the Department for Infrastructure, Northern Ireland, to demonstrate how SM:ART can fundamentally enhance bridge management. By monitoring corrosion in real time, we can extend the lifespan of these structures, improve public safety, and significantly reduce maintenance costs. This partnership not only validates years of research but also sets a new standard in infrastructure resilience. As our first pilot region, DfI-NI provides the perfect launch pad to expand across Europe and beyond.
The DfI-NI is responsible for the region’s transportation and public works, including the maintenance of roads, bridges, and public transportation networks. By embracing innovative solutions like SM:ART, the Department aims to ensure safer, more resilient infrastructure for the communities it serves.
Kristopher Campbell, Principal Civil Engineer for DfI Roads & Rivers, commented:
This trial with SM:ART represents an important step toward modernising our infrastructure monitoring processes. SM:ART allows us to see hidden damage and problems where traditional methods fall short. We are eager to see how the technology performs under real-world conditions and anticipate it will provide improved insights, faster responses to potential issues, and ultimately greater efficiency and cost savings for the region’s bridge network.
TU Dublin is one of Ireland’s largest and most progressive universities, known for cutting-edge research and impactful innovations. TU Dublin Innovation works closely with researchers to transform promising ideas into market-ready solutions, strengthening and has helped create award-winning spinouts, supports industry engagement and fosters collaboration between academia and enterprise, ensuring that groundbreaking technologies like SM:ART achieve widespread real-world application.