By Lynda Myer
In order to the application of its technologies and systems in the UK rail sector, tunneling technology company hyperTunnel has signed an exclusive distributor agreement (EDA) with AmcoGiffen.
The digital twins, robotics, 3D printing as well as digital underground surveying, supported by AI and VR, are thee exclusive rights of the Under the EDA, AmcoGiffen to use hyperTunnel technology, for all enhancements, repair, rehabilitation and monitoring of underground spaces, slopes and track bed infrastructure, including stabilization and water management.
While in 2022, hyperTunnel commissioned exclusive distributor licensing agreements, they also allow engineering contractors to offer hyperTunnel technologies exclusively within certain applications, sectors and territories.
According to Steve Jordan, co-CEO of hyperTunnel: “Construction and maintenance companies are consumed day-to-day with delivering against contracts on tight margins. Yet, at the same time, they need to develop sustainable innovations that will take their businesses forward, potentially leading the next technological leap. ”
He also added: “Through this EDA, AmcoGiffen can tap into our approaches and methodologies, R&D investment and industry experts from day one. It is a win-win – our products are commercially ready and in AmcoGiffen we have a partner that will allow us to get robots into the ground quickly and prove the hyperTunnel method in an unforgiving commercial and operational environment.”
The expert fields of AmcoGiffen, which is owned by Renew Holdings plc, are the design and delivery of innovative and complex multi-disciplinary engineering, construction and maintenance services across the transport, energy and environmental sectors.
The company was convinced the future of maintaining underground structures lay in robotics and automation. AmcoGiffen is equipped and ready to partner with hyperTunnel to pioneer its approaches in the UK rail sector while being fully aware of the challenges that may lie ahead for an early adopter of such exciting technology. This exclusive contract represents a significant business opportunity for AmcoGiffen and reflects our long-term ambition to lead innovation in the UK rail sector,” said AmcoGiffen operations director Dave Thomas.
In October 2022 hyperTunnel revealed the world’s first tunnel built entirely by robots.
As part of a research project for Network Rail, the Peak XV tunnel constructed at the company’s R&D facility in Hampshire. The used method for building of this 6m-long, 2m-high, 2m-wide pedestrian-scale tunnel was an automated construction method designed to make tunnel construction 10 times faster, more sustainable and half the cost of conventional methods.
Through an arch of HDPE pipes and using swarm construction methods according to a digital twin of the tunnel, a fleet of hyperBot robots enters the ground. Once inside, the robots’ 3D-print the tunnel shell by deploying construction material directly into the ground.
The awarded budget to hyperTunnel in funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator scheme was €1.88m in the previous year, whereas it is Europe’s flagship innovation program. The company also received a financial investment from Vinci.
