The Drone Advantage: Transforming Infrastructure Inspections
The integration of drone technology has transformed industries worldwide, and critical infrastructure inspections are no exception. From enhancing safety to streamlining operations and reducing costs, drones, combined with AI and advanced technologies, are reshaping the way businesses monitor and maintain their assets. Read on to explore the most compelling drone case studies, including highlights from Chevron, Southern Company, Shell and other leading companies to discover how they are leveraging drones to drive massive efficiencies in infrastructure inspections.
Enhancing Safety and Efficiency with Drone Inspections
For years, organizations have relied on traditional methods such as scaffolding, helicopters, and rope access for infrastructure inspections. These methods, while effective, expose workers to hazardous conditions and consume significant time and resources. Drones have emerged as a powerful alternative, offering unparalleled safety and efficiency.
Early adoption of drone technology allowed companies to complete jobs such as inspecting transmission lines without putting workers at risk. Now, drones are utilized for even more complex inspections, including solar farms, nuclear facilities, and offshore turbines, ensuring detailed imagery and actionable insights with minimal disruption.
Similarly, companies have leveraged drones to inspect pipelines spanning hundreds of miles, eliminating the need for manual inspections and reducing operational time dramatically.
Expanding Possibilities with Advanced Sensors and AI
The capabilities of drones extend far beyond simple visual inspections. Cutting-edge payloads such as thermal imaging, LiDAR, and Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) sensors have enabled companies to detect gas leaks, monitor structural integrity, and identify heat sources in critical infrastructure.
Percepto, a leading player in autonomous drone technology, has worked in partnership with Chevron to deploy AI-powered drones for infrastructure monitoring. These drones, stationed within “drone-in-a-box” setups, autonomously collect high-quality data and identify irregularities, such as leaks or potential mechanical failures, without requiring human intervention on-site. For Chevron, this has meant safer, more efficient monitoring of geographically dispersed assets, regardless of harsh environmental conditions.
According to Chevron’s program manager, Russell Robinson, drone systems operated by Percepto facilitate faster and more scalable operations. From their headquarters in Florida, Percepto’s remote control centers can manage inspection missions in West Texas and Colorado, reducing travel risks and operational costs.
AI integration adds another layer of effectiveness. AI-driven software helps analyze data collected by drones in real time, flagging potential defects such as corrosion, misalignments, or wear and tear that might otherwise go undetected. This automation empowers businesses to act proactively, ensuring infrastructure remains operational and issues are addressed before they escalate.
Scaling for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Operations
One of the most significant advancements in drone technology is the ability to scale operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). BVLOS operations eliminate the need for on-site visual observers, enabling drones to cover vast stretches of critical assets autonomously.
TEAL Communications, in partnership with Volatus Aerospace, exemplifies the application of BVLOS solutions. By equipping drones with TEAL’s programmable eSIM cards, Volatus Aerospace has overcome common connectivity challenges, allowing one pilot to control multiple drones over extended distances. Whether inspecting pipelines in remote areas or monitoring large-scale assets, TEAL’s technology ensures low-latency, high-throughput connections globally, further increasing operational reliability and reach.
As detailed in TEAL’s case study, Volatus no longer relies on multiple carriers, simplifying logistics while enabling dynamic carrier switching for mission-critical applications. These advancements make BVLOS operations more accessible and cost-effective, driving new opportunities for wide-scale adoption.
Supporting Sustainability with Drone Solutions
Besides improving safety and operational efficiency, drones contribute significantly to sustainability initiatives. By minimizing the need for energy-intensive activities, such as helicopter flyovers or heavy machinery deployment, these technologies reduce carbon footprints while preserving valuable natural resources.
Turner Industries demonstrated this potential when they deployed drones to inspect piperacks. This transition resulted in a 60% cost reduction and significantly decreased environmental impact compared to traditional inspection approaches. Such innovations align business goals with environmental responsibility, fostering greener operations.
Real-World Success Stories
Percepto x Chevron
Through its collaboration with Chevron, Percepto has set an industry benchmark for autonomous drone inspections. Chevron’s assets in rugged environments are now efficiently monitored without risking personnel safety. AI-driven insights from these operations are helping Chevron plan future scales of operation while maintaining consistent quality and reliability.
TEAL x Volatus Aerospace
TEAL’s programmable eSIM innovation has become a game-changer for Volatus Aerospace. With the introduction of eSIM-enabled drones, Volatus streamlined global deployments while optimizing connectivity for BVLOS operations. The result? Reduced deployment times, minimized costs, and enhanced scalability across various infrastructure projects.
Shell’s Pipeline Inspections
Shell exemplifies the value of drone inspection scalability and recently completed a 320-mile pipeline inspection in under eight hours. Shell underscored the incredible efficiencies achievable through streamlined workflows and advanced UAV integration, setting a new standard for the industry.
ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil is leveraging advanced technologies like drones and sensors, along with digital data management systems, to enhance the efficiency and safety of refractory inspections in confined spaces. They are utilizing cutting-edge cameras and sensors paired with drones to conduct offshore inspections, showcasing how innovation is driving progress in maritime tank inspections.
Phoenix Air and Souther Company
Southern Company has achieved a significant milestone as the first to obtain an FAA Part 91 exemption for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations. Through its collaboration with Phoenix Air Unmanned, the company is leveraging advanced SwissDrones technology to revolutionize infrastructure inspections, improve storm response efforts, and optimize operational monitoring—all without requiring on-site visual observers.
Driving Adoption Across Industries
The versatility of drones continues to attract organizations from diverse sectors, including energy, transportation, and telecommunications. From inspecting bridges for the Department of Transportation to supporting digital twin creation for industrial enterprises, drones are becoming indispensable for modern infrastructure management.
Future possibilities include even greater autonomy with improvements in battery longevity, real-time data transmission, and AI-powered anomaly detection, further reducing both risk and cost. Additionally, as drone regulations evolve to accommodate BVLOS operations, businesses have an unprecedented opportunity to unlock new levels of operational efficiency.
Unlock the Power of Drone Technology with TEAL
There has never been a more exciting or opportune time to explore drone solutions for critical infrastructure. With the potential to enhance efficiency, lower costs, and maintain safety standards, drones are revolutionizing industries worldwide.
Interested in learning how drones can transform your organization? Check out TEAL’s case studies or contact us today to discover more about our innovative solutions tailored to your infrastructure needs.
