This episode features the Purdue team working on safe and productive construction excavation. Guest speakers include Yuxi Zhang, Zirui Hong, and Yeji Hong, all of them are PhD students working with Prof. Hubo Cai.

SmartDig is a system developed by the Purdue team to detect and visualize the underground structures and utility lines, and provide real-time guidance to excavator operators. The system leverages ground penetrating radar, or GPR, advanced algorithms for signal processing and radargram interpretation, and knowledge base to help excavation operators gain a holistic understanding of the operation. Such a system will make the construction excavation safe and productive, and has the potential to eliminate utility strikes that kill hundreds and cost billions every year in the United States.

All work is funded through multiple NSF grants.