“The compact design of 3DX SmartPilot makes it particularly well-suited for inspections of wind farms operating in very remote locations but also for ad-hoc inspections. It’s like carrying out inspections from a backpack. Deployable worldwide, our new plug-and-play solution is highly flexible and will overcome most logistical and customs restrictions. Once onsite, it can be deployed instantly,” commented Tom Sulzer, Sulzer Schmid co-founder and CEO.

The 3DX SmartPilot Solution is powered by Sulzer Schmid’s proprietary software and compatible with most small off-the-shelf DJI drones. It is designed to deliver semi-autonomous inspections carried out by a drone pilot with the assistance of the 3DX software to ensure optimal flight paths. The inspection data is uploaded, processed, and analyzed in the 3DX Blade Platform, the most advanced data management system for blade inspections.

“This is the most economical solution because it only requires lower-cost hardware without proprietary payload. At the same time, it delivers all the value of the 3DX Blade Platform with no compromise on data processing and smart analytics. Thanks to this latest innovation, we can now ensure that the data of wind assets, no matter where they are located, is captured cost-effectively within Sulzer Schmid’s stringent quality standards,” concluded Sulzer.

News item from Sulzer & Schmid

The post New portable drone from Sulzer & Schmid ideal for turbine inspections in complex geographies appeared first on Windpower Engineering & Development.

The path to net zero requires rapid scaling up of renewable energy sources which means the installation of more and larger wind farms. Regular inspection of these assets is essential to identify damage, undertake repairs, and plan maintenance to optimize annual energy production. This has driven Sulzer Schmid’s latest development to address the needs of high-volume inspection campaigns. Fast, efficient, and accurate, it is designed to withstand the toughest onshore and offshore environments.

Fully autonomous drone technology means that it is easy to use, from take-off to landing. No manual intervention is required. Rugged and resistant, the UAVs are programmed to capture high quality imagery data in a systematic way covering the entire surface of the blade in a single-stop, 15 to 20-minute flight. Repeatable, with perfect image framing, it offers immediate image quality assurance in the field.

At the heart of the inspection process is the proprietary browser based 3DX Blade Platform which integrates every aspect of the inspection in one place. In combination with the 3DX Blade Platform, the 3DX HP AI-enhanced analytics enable a turnaround time from image capture to report of just five days, setting new industry standards. High-quality images with highly accurate metadata indicate precise damage location and sizing, enabling a fully transparent view of the blade health status of the entire fleet. The repeatability of the process means that results can be tracked over time to monitor damage progression, to make informed maintenance decisions and provide lifetime documentation.

Tom Sulzer, Sulzer Schmid co-founder and CEO, stated. “When we first launched our 3DX Blade Platform in 2016, we recognized the potential for UAV technology to redefine industrial grade inspections. Working in close partnership with our customers, our high productivity solution has been specifically designed to meet the needs of high-volume inspection campaigns. Hassle free, with no compromises on quality or efficiency, it sets a new inspection benchmark for the industry. Customers can choose between different operational models, from full service to self-performed inspections.”

News item from Sulzer Schmid

The post 3DX HP drone from Sulzer & Schmid specifically designed for wind turbine blade inspection appeared first on Windpower Engineering & Development.

The Skyward Connected Drone Solution includes Parrot ANAFI Ai along with a one-year Skyward Business+ subscription and Verizon 4G LTE connectivity at no extra cost if pre-ordered by January 31, 2022. Skyward subscribers can fly Parrot ANAFI Ai and transfer data and imagery directly into Skyward over Verizon 4G LTE via Skyward’s InFlight mobile app in order to create 2D maps and 3D models. A major feature of Parrot ANAFI Ai is its survey-grade accuracy.

Parrot ANAFI Ai integrated with Skyward and powered by Verizon 4G LTE retails for $4,000, plus tax.

“The release of the first off-the-shelf drone with Verizon 4G LTE connectivity will advance drone operations for pilots nationwide,” said Mariah Scott, Executive Director of Robotics Business Technology at Verizon. “From supporting higher volumes of data transfer and yielding faster time to insight to enabling reliable beyond visual line of sight operations, we are proud to play a leading role in providing new capabilities. This is the next step in our ongoing efforts to connect the sky on America’s most reliable network for more than a decade.”

Announced in August as an exclusive offer for new and existing Skyward subscribers, the cellular-connected drone pairs Skyward’s Connected Drone Solution, a one-stop shop for planning, flying, data transfer and mapping and modeling, with Parrot ANAFI Ai, a compact professional drone built for work. Parrot ANAFI Ai sets a new communications standard with autonomous one-click flight plan creation and new levels of cybersecurity. The trailblazing combination features obstacle avoidance and streamlines complex missions for mapping and modeling in construction, infrastructure, inspection & surveying, and public safety.

As the first 4G LTE connectivity solution for aerial robotics in the U.S., the Skyward Connected Drone Solution also allows subscribers to process aerial imagery faster than has previously been possible with off-the-shelf drones. In addition to rapid imaging, customers get business-ready deliverables and quality results from drone data with Skyward Mapping & Modeling and have access to various airspace and fleet management tools.

reorder Parrot ANAFI Ai 4G LTE connected to Verizon 4G LTE.

News item from Skyward

The post Skyward announces preorder availability of off-the-shelf drone Parrot ANAFI Ai appeared first on Windpower Engineering & Development.