Drones in Industry
Drones offer efficient and safe solutions for industrial applications, including the aerial inspection of wind turbines, solar farms, and more.
Application examples
Wind energy plants
The inspection of wind turbines can be carried out precisely and efficiently with the help of drones. In particular, the drone serves as a much safer alternative to conventional inspection methods. The use of drones avoids the dangerous work of humans at high altitudes and replaces it with a safe aerial view. The cameras we use for aerial surveys have a surveying accuracy of up to 0.1mm, significantly outperforming other systems and solutions in terms of resolution and accuracy. Thus, even small cracks and damages on a wind turbine can be detected and documented.
Pipelines/reservoirs
By using drones, pipelines can be inspected safely from a distance. This is particularly beneficial when pipelines are exposed to high temperatures or show evidence of leakage. High-resolution imagery can detect individual bumps and cracks on pipelines/tanks while maintaining a safe distance. Furthermore, the pipelines/tanks can be simultaneously scanned with thermal imaging to capture additional data such as leaks. Typically, pure photo inspection is sufficient to provide an accurate visualization of the facilitie’s condition.
High voltage lines/transformer stations
Our CDS-Drones have the ability to collect data in a detailed and efficient manner by flying over power lines and transformer stations from a safe distance. These drones are equipped with high-resolution cameras that can capture images with a resolution of around 100MPx. The images are capable of capturing details of insulators, connectors, lines, and individual bolts, where the level of detail is so high that even the smallest damages, such as hairline cracks, corrosion, and delamination, can be precisely identified, allowing necessary repairs to be initiated.
Solar farms
Our CDS-Drones retain high-end cameras that allow us to capture 6-7 solar panels in a single image. The camera achieves a ground resolution (GSD) of less than 0.2 mm. The images are of such high resolution that the serial numbers on the individual solar panels are legible, allowing for fast and efficient verification of renewable energy sources. By incorporating thermography, it is possible to quickly and precisely detect hotspots and damage to both solar panels and infrastructure, which can then be visualized in detial.
How does it work?
RGB Camera
Our camera systems are among the highest resolution models in this segment. The large sensors can capture images with a resolution of over 100 megapixels. With specialized software, it’s possible to produce multiple images of the same subject with varying depths of field from a single position. This feature is especially advantageous for industrial inspections since it allows long component transitions to be displayed in the same sharpness from an identical angle on the same image plane.
UAV Photogrammetry
Drone-based photogrammetry involves taking high-resolution images from various angles as the drone flies in a predetermined pattern with extreme precision over the target area to be documented. Subsequently, specialized software stiches these images to create a three-dimensional model that accurately reflects the shape and geometry of the object. This method is versatile and can be applied to different infrastructures, terrains, and objects as needed.
Thermal-Scan
To conduct a thermal survey, a drone is equipped with a thermal imaging camera. This camera detects the infrared radiation emanating from the surfaces of the objects being examined and converts it into an image or video that shows the various surface temperatures. The drone methodically flies over the target area, transmitting the footage in real time to a monitor on the ground. The footage can be promptly examined to identify anomalies such as temperature discrepancies and damage.