Relying on manual meter readings is no longer sustainable in industries where precision, safety, and efficiency are non-negotiable. Whether it’s a remote oil pipeline valve station or a high-voltage utility substation, manually logging gauge readings is time-consuming, error-prone, and potentially hazardous.
Unleash live solves this challenge with an automated meter reading solution that uses computer vision to continuously monitor and interpret analog and digital meters—no physical inspections required.
Why It Matters - The Industrial Reality
In industrial settings like oil and gas and large-scale utilities, analog gauges and digital displays remain standard. These instruments provide critical readings for pressure, temperature, flow rates, voltage, and current—data that directly affect operations, compliance, and safety.
Yet, collecting this data manually presents several challenges:
• Exposure to hazardous environments
• Inconsistent logging due to human error
• Delayed responses to abnormal readings
• High labour costs for routine checks
Automating this process isn’t just about convenience but safety, operational continuity, and better decision-making.
Use Case - Oil & Gas Operations
In upstream and midstream operations, equipment such as separators, compressors, and storage tanks depends on continuous monitoring. Manual readings of pressure and temperature gauges often require staff to enter potentially explosive zones or remote locations, sometimes multiple times per shift.
With Unleash live, video feeds from fixed or mobile cameras can automatically read dial positions, interpret digital outputs, and identify color-coded indicators (e.g., red for alert conditions). These readings are logged in real time, allowing engineers to detect early signs of pressure anomalies or temperature deviations without setting foot on-site.
Over time, this data can also be trended to support condition-based maintenance strategies, helping teams replace parts before failures occur.
Use Case - Utility Substations
Electric utilities often operate thousands of substations in hard-to-reach or unmanned locations. Despite the rise of SCADA systems, many critical gauges still require visual checks.
Unleash live’s solution allows utilities to monitor analog voltmeters, ammeters, and indicator lights remotely—capturing values like transformer load or circuit breaker status visually and integrating them into centralized dashboards.
The benefits? Faster response times during outages, improved reporting accuracy, and fewer truck rolls just to check a meter.
Key Features
- Visual Data Capture from Existing Infrastructure
- Supports both analog and digital displays with no hardware changes needed.
- Real-Time Data Extraction and Overlay
- Converts visual readings into structured data with timestamped logs and alerts.
- Custom Alerts and Anomaly Detection
- Automatically flags readings that fall outside normal parameters or change too rapidly.
- Flexible Deployment
- Can run on existing infield cameras, fixed site cameras, or mobile devices.
Benefits to Industrial Operators
- Increased Safety - Reduces the need for staff to access hazardous areas.
- Improved Accuracy - Eliminates human error and subjectivity from meter readings.
- Faster Decision-Making - Real-time visibility enables immediate response to equipment changes.
- Lower Operational Costs - Reduces routine travel, site visits, and manual logging.
Getting Started
Unleash live’s automated meter reading is part of our broader platform that transforms video into structured, actionable data. It works out of the box with most existing camera feeds and integrates into your asset management, SCADA, or analytics platforms.
If your team still relies on manual logs for critical gauge readings, it’s time to modernize. With computer vision, you can make your industrial operations safer, more efficient, and ready for what’s next.
