Key Takeaways
- DJI has collaborated with Flyability to enhance aerial inspection capabilities through the integration of Lightbridge 2 with the Elios drone.
- The Elios drone is specifically designed for inspecting hard-to-reach and confined spaces, minimizing risks associated with traditional inspection methods.
- DJI’s Lightbridge 2 system allows for reliable video and data transmission, even in obstructed environments, enabling safer and more efficient inspections in complex structures.
DJI Partners with Flyability: A Leap Forward in Aerial Inspection Technology
In an exciting industry development, DJI has joined forces with Flyability, a renowned Swiss aerial technology company, to revolutionize the way inspections are conducted in challenging environments. By integrating DJI’s Lightbridge 2, a state-of-the-art image transmission system, with Flyability’s Elios drone, both companies aim to enhance safety, efficiency, and effectiveness in the realm of aerial inspections.
The Elios: A Game-Changer in UAV Technology
The Elios stands out as the world’s first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) specifically engineered for the inspection and exploration of spaces that are difficult to access or confined. This innovative drone is fortified with a robust, impact-resistant enclosure that protects it during flights in complex structures and metallic environments. Leveraging the advanced capabilities of the Lightbridge 2 technology, the Elios can navigate through these intricate settings with remarkable reliability.
Equipped with a spherical protective frame that rotates freely, the Elios can deftly maneuver through convoluted structures such as the towering boilers found in power plants. These structures can reach heights of approximately 300 feet (about 100 meters) and contain numerous pipes and obstacles. Traditionally, accessing these areas for inspection often required surveyors to rappel down or use scaffolding—a method fraught with risks and expensive delays.
Transforming Inspection Processes
The collaboration between DJI and Flyability is especially significant for industries like Oil & Gas and Maritime, where reliance on human inspectors in confined spaces has been the norm. The ability to deploy UAV technology minimizes risks to human life and significantly reduces the economic burden associated with conventional inspection practices.
A live-feed video is transmitted to the pilot’s mobile device through the Lightbridge 2 system during Elios flights, providing real-time situational awareness. The captured footage, paired with advanced analytical tools, allows for thorough assessments of the inspected facilities, setting new standards for comprehensive condition evaluations.
A Robust Solution for Challenging Environments
A standout feature of the Elios is its capability to maintain reliable video and data transmission, even when surrounded by materials like steel and concrete that can obstruct signals. After extensive testing in environments simulating these conditions, Flyability selected DJI’s Lightbridge 2 system for its robustness and reliability. This partnership opens the door to new horizons in aerial inspection, including previously uncharted territories such as glacier crevasses and the delicate inspections needed for nuclear power plants.
Voices from the Field
Eli Morgan Harris, Business Development Manager at DJI, expressed enthusiasm about this partnership: “We are happy to have Flyability as a partner working with our Lightbridge technology. The extended range and reliability of its transmission, coupled with the integrated ground unit, makes Lightbridge the perfect platform for UAV companies to build their products on. We hope to see many more companies utilizing Lightbridge in the future.”
Exploring the Future of Aerial Inspections
Through this groundbreaking collaboration, the intersection of advanced drone technology and practical applications is becoming a reality, signaling a transformative shift in how inspections are conducted across various industries. With less risk to human inspectors and improved efficiency, the partnership between DJI and Flyability represents a promising future for UAV applications in complex environments.
To learn more about this innovative technology, visit DJI Lightbridge 2 and Flyability Elios.
