Many utility companies conduct Comprehensive Visual Inspections (CVIs) with ground teams and helicopters. The process can be dangerous, expensive, and slow—and still not capture close to all the areas of concern (AOCs).
Dominion Energy, which maintains more than 6,600 miles of overhead electric transmission lines, has seen successes working with PrecisionHawk to conduct drone-based inspections:
Increase in AOCs identified
Decrease in aircraft emissions
Improved worker safety
And more
Drone technology can help utility companies watch their assets like a hawk.
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WHAT'S UP
Drones to Skies Like Bees to Honey
A Leg Up: ANYboticsis launching a new end-to-end robotic inspection solution for operators of energy and industrial processing plants. The solution combines ANYmal, the new fully autonomous four-legged robot, and inspection analytics software.
To Infinity and Beyond: Thanks to new contracts, a joint venture, and a merger, Ocean Infinity’s robotic vessel fleet is growing. The company is also developing an autonomous offshore wind farm inspection service using aerial drone swarms deployed from its Armada vessels.
AND We’re Just Getting Warmed up on Swarms...
Swarm Up: Drone swarm technology stands (or flies) to play a major role in the UAV industry in the near future, from Military applications to commercial deployments...and beyond.
AND Still Swarming!
Calm Before the Swarm: The weight limit on drone deliveries may soon get a lift with Georgia Tech’s new coordinated drone swarm delivery system, which uses multiple coordinating drones to carry bigger and heavier cargo.
UAS for the USA: Only recently have federal agencies started to test drones to protect important infrastructure and assets. Experts are arguing for more initiatives to protect critical infrastructure with the help of UAS.
No More Hanging Out: Using digital twins can help reduce the need for on-site bridge inspections—with workers hanging down from structures—that are dangerous, labor intensive, require expensive equipment, create inconveniences for travelers, and can be inaccurate and error prone.
Lonely Robot: Equinor is deploying an autonomous robot on an offshore platform. The Taurob Inspector, a 40-in.-tall information-gathering device on treads, will be inspecting equipment and reporting problems it identifies.
WHAT'S NEW
It's the Tech, Trends & Projects We've Been Waiting For...
Skydweller Aero validated flight hardware and autopilot software for their solar powered aircraft.
Kraken closed acquisition of Brazilian underwater robotics company,13R, which focuses on autonomous underwater inspection in offshore oil and gas as well as renewable energy.
