Vita Inclinata Technologies is bringing modern technology to crane lifts and helicopter rescues using their semi-autonomous system, the Vita Load Navigator. Caleb Carr, the company’s founder, decided to develop a technology-driven rescue system following a personal tragedy, where weather and location conditions prevented the rescue delivery of his friend suffering from a heart attack during a routine training mission. The company, established in 2015 in Broomfield, Colorado, now includes Vita Aerospace, Vita Industrial, and Air Rescue Systems, with offices in Washington, DC, Silicon Valley, and the UAE.
The Vita Load Navigator aims to resolve issues such as spinning, rotating, and other potential safety hazards on worksites by measuring over 1,000 data points per second. It uses high-powered fans to adjust the load and is connected below the hook of a crane to monitor and control the dynamic load. The Load Navigator also provides remote pendant control with features such as auto hold and dynamic speed control. This level of precise control is particularly useful on high construction projects where a tagline (rope with a handler) is typically used to control the orientation of large panels lifted by cranes.
An example of the system’s capabilities is shown through its partnership with DPR Construction, a commercial general contractor based in Redwood City, California, with branches in 30 locations throughout the United States, as well as in Amsterdam, Seoul, and Singapore. During a pilot project with DPR Construction involving the installation of exterior wall panels on a medical office tower, using the Vita Load Navigator reduced the panel cycle time by half, from 40 minutes to 20 for each panel. The device also eliminated the need for taglines, which reduced shift lengths and, consequently, increased productivity.
Another product, the Vita Rescue System, is tailored to Carr’s original purpose for the company. It uses a remote pendant controller to operate both manually and autonomously to prevent swinging and spinning issues that can result in helicopter extraction problems. A bigger objective for Carr is to consider the needs of hard-working, blue-collar people across the globe and to provide technological solutions to their issues, thereby potentially attracting international investment back into the U.S.
The company is planning further international expansion for growth by establishing offices in Europe. They are also looking at potential opportunities in the Indo-Pacific area and Japan.