The collapse of the Tretten Bridge in 2022 shocked Norway. Now Smart Sensor Systems is taking action to prevent it from happening again – with iBridge, a sensor-based monitoring system. We are now raising growth capital via Folkeinvest to scale the technology, which is already in use on Norwegian bridges.
On the morning of August 15, 2022, Tretten bru collapsed unexpectedly and fell into Gudbrandsdalslågen while a truck and a passenger car were on the bridge.
– It is not the first time a bridge has collapsed in Norway, but our goal is for it to be the last time, says CEO Halvor Heiberg of Smart Sensor Systems AS.
The company has developed iBridge, a smart device that connects to various sensors and sends real-time data to a monitoring program. The system provides early warnings of structural changes and wear – before danger arises.
In use on Norwegian bridges
The system is now being used by Innlandet County Council in a pilot project on three bridges, in Åsnes, Kongsvinger and Elverum.
– Three different types of bridges of different construction have been selected. The potential of the solution from a digitalization perspective is good and the expectations that this can provide a positive cost-benefit value for the professional communities are high, says Svein-Inge Kvalø, unit manager for digitalization and road data at Innlandet County Municipality.
iBridge is also in use by players such as Veidekke, Skanska, Bane NOR, Statkraft and several county municipalities.
Raising capital for growth
After extensive development and testing, Smart Sensor Systems is now in the process of commercializing iBridge. In this regard, growth capital will be raised through the financing platform Folkeinvest. The plan is a share issue of NOK 7 million.
– We are facing a huge market. In Norway alone, there is a maintenance backlog of over 2,300 billion kroner, according to the Norwegian Association of Consulting Engineers. To handle this, we must adopt new technology, says Heiberg.
Bridges are an important market for the company, but roads, railways, water and sewage and not least construction also offer great opportunities. An example is Grimstad, where the roof over the municipal swimming pool is monitored by Smart Sensor Systems. During unusually heavy snowfall last winter, the sensors registered that the roof was somewhat compressed. As a result, the facility was closed for a short period until the situation was clarified.
Total supplier
Smart Sensor Systems supplies both the iBridge device itself, various sensors and software to monitor data. This allows the company to take full responsibility for the monitoring service, including installation, which many customers greatly appreciate, according to Heiberg.
Contact:
Halvor Heiberg, General Manager, +47 901 12 935, halvor.heiberg@smartsensorsystems.no
About Smart Sensor Systems
Smart Sensor Systems AS helps make the world smarter and safer through digital measurement solutions and products. The company's proprietary iBridge is a smart sensor-based system that is easy to install and use, as well as very cost-effective for the customer. Combined with sensors from some of the world's leading suppliers, they offer a complete end-to-end monitoring service for critical infrastructure
English (UK)