Industrial Robotics, Drones, Automation, Geospatial & AI
September 24, 2024: Issue 113
Turns out, power lines are getting more action than just zapping electricity—they’re now the stars of a high-tech makeover! Thanks to ComEd, along with Optelos and Skydio drones, AI is now playing detective in the sky, keeping an eye on 1.2 million poles and 35,000 miles of power lines because ain't nobody got time for that many steps! Read on for more below! 👇
What’s Inside:
✅ ComEd's Power Play: Drones + AI = Grid Inspections Done Right
🐠 1,200 Miles Underwater? This Drone's Got Game AND Gills!
⚡ This Fully Autonomous Robot Does the Energy (Inspection) Gig
👩❤️👨 Digital Twins & AI: The Utility Industry's Power Couple
🔥 These Drones Can Handle the Heat (And Your Inspections)
🤝 Energy Companies Join Forces: Data Collection Dream Team
ComEd’s latest case study shows just how far AI and drone tech have come in transforming grid management and inspections.
With a little help from Optelos, and Skydio drones, and AI, ComEd is changing the powerline inspection game. They’ve got their eye on 1.2 million poles across 35,000 miles of distribution lines—which, let’s be honest, is more than any of us want to walk in a lifetime.
Drones + AI = Grid Hero: ComEd’s drones aren’t just taking Instagram-worthy shots of power lines—they’re capturing images and training AI to detect potential issues, like broken crossarms and insulators. Think of it as an AI-powered inspector in the sky.
All in One Place: Say goodbye to hunting down data from different hard drives—or everyone’s messy desktops. Now, all images are stored on one platform, ready for employees to access.
Saving Trips (and Sanity): With data already in the system, engineers can skip unnecessary field trips. Just imagine the gas station snack savings alone!
AI’s Brainpower: The AI can detect defects with up to 90% accuracy (it’s still learning about lightning arresters—but hey, we all have that one tricky subject, right?).
This isn’t just about keeping the lights on – it’s about bringing smart tech into the mix to make grid management more efficient, reliable, and let’s face it, way cooler.
Check out how ComEd is leading the charge (pun intended) in AI and drone-powered inspections, and get inspired by the power of tech to keep the grid running smoothly!
And make sure you have next year’s summit on your calendar. Join us June 16-18, 2025 in Houston, Texas, for the latest in emerging tech in energy.
WHAT'S UP
Grid Gritt: Amid growing demand and worker shortage issues, utilities are taking advantage of new technology such as digital twins powered by AI to streamline their work and ensure they can keep up with the demand of the power grids they are tasked to upkeep.
Robo Recon: A fully autonomous robot was used to inspect a fusion energy facility in Oxfordshire for the first time. This inspection was a result of efforts by research institute United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the Oxford Robotics Institute (ORI) at the University of Oxford.
EDR COALITION MEMBER SPOTLIGHTDrones Plus Robotics is a premier leader in drone and robotics technology, dedicated to delivering advanced solutions for enterprise and consumer applications. They'rededicated to building lasting relationships, delivering exceptional service, and helping their customers achieve their goals through an extensive range of products designed to enhance capabilities, reduce risks, and digitize workflows. Reach out to them today!
WHAT'S NEXT
Cyberhawkannounced the launch of AVIATE (Accelerated Visual Integration and Technology Enabler), a groundbreaking service designed to assist organizations in starting or scaling their unmanned aerial system (UAS) programs.
Trimble revealed the launch of the Trimble® Reality Capture platform service, designed to streamline data management, visualization and collaboration, making your workflows more efficient and user-friendly.
Kongsberg Discovery has announced another successful milestone reached in the development of HUGIN Endurance, following a record-setting, multi-week, fully autonomous mission.
Skyfront announced that the Skyfront Perimeter 8+ WC, a variant of the hybrid-electric Perimeter 8+ drone equipped with a water-cooled engine and heat-tolerant avionics, is now available for desert operations worldwide.
WHAT'S THE DEAL
Maritime Robotics, a provider of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and autonomous navigation systems in the maritime industry, has closed a $12 million capital raise, which will be used to accelerate business growth and international expansion.
YellowScan announced a strategic partnership aimed at revolutionizing industrial operations through the integration of the YellowScan Surveyor Ultra Lidar scanner into the Nokia Drone Networks solution.
Esri announced the publication of Mapping with Altitude: Designing 3D Maps, a new book which details how to create clear and compelling cartographic representations in 3D that are eye-catching and informative.
BMT, a maritime design and technical consultancy, has announced a collaboration with Ocius technology company on maritime data collection and management with the aim of deploying a fleet of 1,000 autonomous vessels globally within the next 10 years.
WHAT ELSE
Holy Guacamole! Chipotle's Autocado Saves Time, One Peel at a Time
(Image Chipotle Newsroom)
Chipotle has a new robot called the Autocado with a key assignment: peeling avocados. The prototype machine “cuts, cores, and peels avocados” by the case before workers mash them up for guacamole in a process Chipotle is describing as using cobots (collaborative robots).
The company says the robot being tested in a store at 20972 Magnolia St. in Huntington Beach, California, will help free employees up for other tasks. The “size agnostic” Autocado machine can get an avocado peeled and seeded within 26 seconds, according to Chipotle.
Chipotle says it has invested money from a $100 million venture fund into both of the companies it partnered with for the two new systems — Vebu for the Autocado and Hyphen helped create its new Augmented Makeline.
This Makeline it’s testing in a Corona del Mar, California store (3050 East Coast Hwy), “uses automated technology to build bowls and salads” for customers on a line beneath the usual prep area. The company says that “approximately 65 percent of all Chipotle digital orders are bowls or salads.” (Sincerest condolences to customers whose favorite burrito bowl-making employee has a heavy guacamole hand — it will still be extra.) Learn more! --> (h/t The Verge)
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