How Drones Improve Data Collection and Monitoring

A small business called Near Earth Autonomy developed a time-saving solution using drones for pre-flight checks of commercial airliners through a NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and a partnership with The Boeing Company. Before commercial airliners are deemed safe to fly before each trip, a pre-flight inspection must be completed. This process can take up to four hours, and can involve workers climbing around the plane to check for any issues, which can sometimes result in safety mishaps as well as diagnosis errors. With NASA and Boeing funding to bolster commercial readiness, Near Earth Autonomy developed a drone-enabled solution, under their business unit Proxim, that can fly around a commercial airliner and gather inspection data in less than 30 minutes. The drone can autonomously fly around an aircraft to complete the inspection by following a computer-programmed task card based on the Federal Aviation Administration’s rules for commercial aircraft inspection. The card shows the flight path the drone’s software needs to take, enabling aircraft workers with a new tool to increase safety and efficiency. “NASA has worked with Near Earth Autonomy on autonomous inspection challenges in multiple domains,” says Danette Allen, NASA senior leader for autonomous systems. “We are excited to see this technology spin out to industry to increase efficiencies, safety, and accuracy of the aircraft inspection process for overall public benefit.” The photos collected from the drone are shared and analyzed remotely, which allows experts in the airline maintenance field to support repair decisions faster from any location. New images can be compared to old images to look for cracks, popped rivets, leaks, and other common issues. The user can ask the system to create alerts if an area needs to be inspected again or fails an inspection. Near Earth Autonomy estimates that using drones for aircraft inspection can save the airline industry an average of $10,000 per hour of lost earnings during unplanned time on the ground. Over the last six years, Near Earth Autonomy completed several rounds of test flights with their drone system on Boeing aircraft used by American Airlines and Emirates Airlines. NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer program, managed by the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, aims to bolster American ingenuity by supporting innovative ideas put forth by small businesses to fulfill NASA and industry needs. These research needs are described in annual SBIR solicitations and target technologies that have significant potential for successful commercialization. #SBIR #NASA #Boeing A Boeing 777-300ER aircraft is being inspected by one of Near Earth Autonomy’s drones Feb. 2, 2024, at an Emirates Airlines facility in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Near Earth Autonomy)

#Drones + #Methane + #Landfills. Part 6 Scan 60 hectares (as much as 240 tennis courts!) of landfills for methane leaks in just 8 hours? Easy-peasy if you use drones.   Maurizio De Molfetta from Symbiotica Srl shared his insights into their experience monitoring methane emissions. Symbiotica Srl monitors municipal solid waste landfills, oil & gas plants, and wastewater treatment plants, and one of the main challenges is to get accurate methane emissions data fast and reliably.    Commonly, landfills use ground crews with flame ionization devices for methane monitoring. To achieve coverage and data resolution comparable to that of drones, these crews must spend at least 3 days collecting data in hazardous environments. Since landfills vary their emissions over time, there is a massive risk of getting insignificant data.   To tackle this, Symbiotica Srl uses a drone with SPH Engineering #SkyHub onboard computer and #LaserFalcon TDLAS methane detector. As arduous supporters of automatic flights, they choose #UgCS for mission planning and control. They've also implemented their algorithms and tools to validate, purify, and analyze the data. The results speak for themselves: pinpoint emission sources, identify emissive areas, or perform temporal analysis - everything is possible when you have accurate data.

Drone ‘powered’ energy Technology is transforming the way power utility companies go about their businesses. From using drones for perilous inspections to the use of sensors and Asset monitoring solutions to stabilize large grids rapid changes have been witnessed in the sector. But what advantages do incorporating drone and sensor technologies bring into the equation? • Using drones’ professionals can now operate at a safe distance instead of engaging with high-voltage transmissions which previously electrocuted 25 workers annually. • The service efficiency goes up since drones can not only cover a larger precinct but also do it faster while reducing the costs by 30-50% • Drones are capable of delivering data such as HD and thermal imaging, LIDAR in real-time helping pace up the decision-making process and also foresee and prevent major incidents from happening. This data can further optimize the functioning of the system when used in synergy with Asset Monitoring Solutions. • Using the technology for continuous oversight of assets thereby ensuring the health and safety of the infrastructure while providing real-time access • Digital data eases the conundrum of how to record and process data and subsequently ensure compliance reporting • This data can then be analyzed to predict and forecast events based on historical trends  • Incorporation of the latest technology like GFMs to further enhance grid stability. An incident from April 2023 showed how GFMs potentially saved $10 million when an oil-powered generator went offline highlighting the immense potential. What is your opinion, are such digital solutions the way forward for greener grids? #innovation #technology #energy #sustainability #electricalengineering ASEC ENGINEERS - Engineering your success, delivering precision and innovation in every project since 1991.

-- Why O&M Managers Need AI and Drone Technology for Solar Farms -- 𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗔𝗜? 𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗗𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦? Solar farms are massive, complex, and constantly under threat from soiling. Relying on manual inspections or basic monitoring systems can only take you so far. If you’re serious about recovering lost revenue and maximizing efficiency, you need precision insights powered by the best technology. 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘’𝗦 𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗪𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗜 + 𝗗𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦: 🚁 Why Drones? 1️⃣ Full Coverage in Hours Manual inspections take days—or even weeks. Drones scan entire arrays in a fraction of the time, delivering faster, more accurate results. 2️⃣ Non-Disruptive Surveys Our drones collect data while your panels stay online, ensuring no downtime or revenue losses during inspections. 3️⃣ High-Resolution Imaging Equipped with thermal cameras, drones detect temperature anomalies (hotspots) caused by soiling. RGB cameras capture visible debris like bird droppings, pollen, and dust, leaving nothing to guesswork. 🤖 Why AI? 1️⃣ Precision Analytics AI doesn’t just see soiling—it measures its impact. We calculate energy losses down to the panel level and predict how much revenue you’ll recover by acting. 2️⃣ Pattern Detection AI identifies trends in soiling buildup over time, helping you understand your site’s unique challenges and prepare for them. 3️⃣ Tailored Cleaning Triggers Instead of static cleaning schedules, AI tells you when soiling has reached a critical point—ensuring cleaning is done only when and where it’s truly needed. 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗢&𝗠 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦 ↬ Fewer Unknowns: Data-driven insights eliminate guesswork, so you can make informed decisions. ↬ Higher ROI: Cleaning at the right time maximizes energy recovery and justifies every maintenance dollar. ↬ Confidence for Asset Owners: Detailed reports show the ROI of your actions, building trust and transparency. Ha - you know how they say "Better Ingredients...Better Pizza...Papa Johns"? 𝗖𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗘𝗥 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗔. 𝗕𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦. Solar Survey Ai.

Oil and gas, as well as chemical, companies are constantly facing several challenging macro, business and operational level challenges. Companies operating in the business of exploration & production, transporting and/or refining oil, gas and associated products are facing increasing public scrutiny (dare I say scorn) to mandate that the industry disappears entirely - guess these folks want to freeze to death and/or go broke - or that the share of oil and gas produced is greatly reduced. The business challenges are many including volatile energy market trading that can reduce or increase the cost of a barrel per oil equivalent tremendously. In addition, many companies are facing the real impact of "the Great Crew Change" in which experienced workers with invaluable domain expertise are retiring while the recruiting levels of the "next generation" are woefully understaffed, creating real concerns on how companies will maintain their license to operate. Throughout this chaotic experience, many companies have been, in some cases begrudgingly, deploying new digital technologies to help close this gap between retiring experienced "gray hairs" and the newer generation(s). Drones are one such technology that some savvier oil & gas, chemical, electric power generation & transmission & distribution, refining, mining, and pulp & paper companies have been deploying since 2015. Early adopters were deploying these drones to ensure employee safety from inspecting flare stacks, chimneys, and other facilities that posed an unsafe, dirty and/or in a remote location. More recently, thanks to advancements in autonomous navigation capabilities, improved battery performance, more advanced application software platforms, and less stringent regulatory requirements, an increasing number of firms are deploying drones for applications such as methane emissions monitoring; inspections of powerlines; leak detection along pipelines, compressor stations, and other areas; on outside of storage tanks, for confined space entry inspections, and other applications. The main benefits of drones being deployed besides safety, include the realization that drones are fast becoming mobile data platforms for developing digital twins, conducting scans of facilities for change management, and can become an extension of a company's existing maintenance and asset performance management systems. ARC covered the market from the perspective of companies deploying and managing drones in their own operations purchased from suppliers such as DJI, Parrot, Skydio, Flyability, Flybotix, etc. or they rely on drone-in-a-box supplier such as Percepto, Airobotics, Azur Drones, and others. Many companies also chose to rely on 3rd party drone service providers such as AERODYNE GROUP, terraDrone, Cyberhawk™, and Volatus Aerospace, among others. https://lnkd.in/giBK2TNg https://lnkd.in/eTBT_Sas

Animals across the globe are running out of places to live. Populations of vertebrates such as monkeys, fish and birds declined 73% on average between 1970 and 2020, according to the World Wildlife Fund. This post, bylined by yours truly in collaboration with Matt Ball, details how the Map of Life Rapid Assessments (MOLRA) system uses drones, sophisticated sensors, and AI to collect audio, visual, and genetic samples to support detailed species mapping—where plants and animals are likely to be and how those populations are changing.   Together with partners and support from Sony, Esri, the Field Museum, Rutgers University, the Federal University of Amazonas, and the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, the Yale University Map of Life (MOL) team developed MOLRA for last year’s biodiversity XPRIZE Rainforest competition. The runner-up prize award of $2 million is now being used to fund a spin-off company, Map of Life Solutions.   “As pressures on lands are increasing and climate change accelerates, it is ever more important that we are guided by evidence and quantitative metrics to achieve positive outcomes for biodiversity,” said Walter Jetz, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Yale, who also leads the Map of Life project. “And it is critical that we ensure this data reaches the desks of decision-makers and is informed by their needs. This is why we are so excited about Map of Life Solutions offering the full link from new data collection technologies to the custom reporting that organizations require.”   https://lnkd.in/gWj4H9Bx

I recently shared my thoughts in GTIA - Global Technology Industry Association’s "IoT Predictions and Trends to Watch in 2025" on how drones, connected technology, and automation will reshape industries. Here are a few key areas where I see major changes ahead: 📡 The Rise of BVLOS Operations Through IoT Integration “The combination of IoT, AI and 5G technology will propel beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations to the forefront of commercial applications by 2025. IoT sensors embedded in drones will provide real-time situational awareness, allowing for autonomous flight over extended distances and in challenging environments like densely populated areas or remote locations. These advancements will unlock use cases such as last-mile delivery, large-scale agricultural monitoring and precision inspections for industrial sites. For MSPs and vendors, BVLOS represents a new frontier for IoT innovation, offering significant opportunities to expand service portfolios and address complex customer needs.” 🏢 Drones as Cornerstones of Smart Infrastructure Monitoring “By 2025, drones will become an integral part of smart infrastructure systems, leveraging IoT technology to deliver real-time insights into the health of critical assets. Drones will be equipped with advanced IoT sensors to detect structural damage, thermal irregularities or environmental changes in assets like bridges, roads and buildings. With edge computing capabilities, drones will analyze and relay actionable data directly to city planners and maintenance teams, enabling faster responses to infrastructure issues. This shift will reduce costly delays in inspections, improve public safety and extend asset lifespans, positioning drones as a key player in the future of urban planning.” 🖥️ Drone-Powered Digital Twins Become Industry Standard “As digital twin technology matures, drones will emerge as essential tools for building and maintaining accurate, up-to-date digital replicas of physical assets. By 2025, industries like real estate, manufacturing, and construction will use drones equipped with IoT sensors and high-resolution imaging to scan structures, enabling dynamic updates to digital twins. These real-time updates will enhance predictive modeling, streamline operations and improve risk management. For instance, construction managers can visualize progress on projects, identify discrepancies and optimize resource allocation, all powered by drone data. The synergy of drones and IoT will redefine how digital twins are created and maintained.” The intersection of drones and IoT is unlocking new ways to improve efficiency, safety, and decision-making. What are you seeing on the horizon for 2025? Read the full GTIA article here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ggrKCZSX #IoT #Drones #BVLOS #DigitalTwins #SmartInfrastructure #2025Trends #GTIA #Technology #Innovation #TechNews #Chicago #Infrastructure #TechnologyTrends

“The Olympics for biodiversity” just wrapped up in Brazil. Abhishyant Kidangoor provides an overview. In July, the Amazon rainforest became the testing ground for 6 teams competing for the $10 million Rainforest XPRIZE, aimed at developing innovative solutions to automate biodiversity monitoring. The competition, organized by XPRIZE, brought together biologists, engineers, and AI experts to put their technologies to the test over a 72-hour period. Each team, tasked with collecting and analyzing biodiversity data, produced a comprehensive report on the species they identified using a range of technologies with a focus on affordability, scalability, and collaboration with local communities. The winner will be announced soon. Kidangoor profiles the finalists: 🌳 Limelight Rainforest deployed drones to drop rafts into the canopy. Equipped with cameras, microphones, and light traps, these rafts attracted insects for DNA sampling. Air samples were also taken for eDNA analysis, while a robotic drone collected leaf and water samples. Machine-learning models mapped tree canopies, estimated tree diversity, and measured carbon storage. 🌳 Welcome to the Jungle used biodegradable sensor packages to collect data. Drones with multispectral and lidar cameras mapped forest cover and gathered eDNA samples. Machine-learning models processed this data, identifying species from both images and sounds, with a focus on forest health. 🌳 Brazilian Team divided the forest into 24 clusters, using drones and the Pl@ntNet AI platform to identify tree species. Drones with thermal cameras detected wildlife at night, while canopy sensors recorded insect activity. Water and plankton samples were also collected. 🌳 ETH BiodivX deployed canopy rafts equipped with light traps and sticky tapes, using drones to collect eDNA samples. Aluminum-based devices analyzed the samples, detecting traces of malaria from monkey feces. Machine-learning models identified bird species, insects, and mapped the forest using RGB cameras. 🌳 Providence Plus used their autonomous Deep-Rainforest Operation Platform (DROP) to collect and process sound, images, and eDNA data from canopies and water bodies. Motion sensors enabled real-time photo capture, with AI identification models. Drones collected soil and water samples, which were analyzed for eDNA. 🌳 Map of Life Rapid Assessments focused on a software platform, utilizing autonomous drones to collect images, audio, and eDNA data. The tools, connected with the Map of Life database, enabled autonomous surveys, species identification, and 3D canopy mapping. Real-time analysis and species assessment were conducted through remote collaboration, merging local data with global biodiversity datasets. 📰 At the ‘Biodiversity Olympics,’ scientists work to democratize rainforest tech https://lnkd.in/gnd3Nt2f

Drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are helping farmers perform tasks more efficiently than ever before. From spreading seeds over vast fields to applying pesticides where needed, drones are taking on roles that traditionally required a lot of time and labor. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧: - Collect detailed data on soil health and plant conditions. - Monitor crop growth, identifying areas that may need attention. - Optimize irrigation systems by detecting moisture levels. - Conduct land surveys quickly and accurately. By providing this wealth of information, drones enable farmers to make informed decisions, leading to increased productivity and profitability. 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐬 Not all drones are the same. There are various types designed for specific agricultural needs. For example: - Multirotor Drones: These have multiple rotating blades (like helicopter rotors) and are excellent for tasks requiring high precision, such as seeding specific areas or spot-treating crops. - Fixed-wing Drones: Resembling small airplanes, they're suitable for covering larger areas and are often used for surveying and mapping. With these technological advancements, it's natural to wonder: Will we soon see farms operating without human workers in the fields? While drones and automation can handle many tasks, the expertise and decision-making skills of farmers remain invaluable. Technology is enhancing agriculture, but it's not replacing the human touch - at least not entirely YET. What are your thoughts on the rise of drone technology in agriculture? Do you believe it will lead to more sustainable and efficient farming practices? #innovation #technology #future #management #startups

🚁💡 NON-STOP FLYING DRONE – Redefining What It Means to Stay Airborne Imagine a drone that doesn’t just fly for minutes… But for 24 hours straight—without crashing, overheating, or running out of battery. Welcome to the future of aerial technology. Introducing the h-aero drone by Hybrid-Airplane Technologies—a revolutionary hybrid design that blends the lift of a zeppelin with the agility of a drone. 🌐 What makes it different? Unlike regular drones that drain batteries fast and need frequent landings, the h-aero uses helium-based lift combined with rotor-based propulsion. This means: ✅ Extended flight time – up to 24 hours in the air ✅ Low energy use – thanks to passive lift ✅ Vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) ✅ Minimal noise and zero emissions ✅ Safe flight, even over crowds It’s part balloon, part aircraft, part intelligent drone—and fully future-ready. 🔍 Why does this matter? Because staying in the air longer opens entirely new doors across multiple industries: 📡 Agriculture – Monitor large farms for soil health, water usage, and crop performance 🏙️ Urban Planning – Real-time traffic, pollution, or infrastructure monitoring 🌲 Environmental Research – Track wildlife, forest health, or climate change patterns 🎥 Media & Events – Aerial coverage of marathons, festivals, or live news 🏥 Disaster Relief – Reach affected zones with communication or scanning support 🚧 Construction & Energy – 24/7 site inspection and safety surveillance It’s like having a silent eye in the sky that never blinks. 🧠 This is more than just a flying machine. It’s a floating platform for data, for insight, and for safer, cleaner monitoring of our world. The possibilities are endless. And the best part? It’s all powered by science, efficiency, and sustainable thinking. 💬 Which industries do YOU think would benefit most from non-stop flying drones like this? Tag someone in agriculture, defense, media, or smart cities. Let’s talk about where innovation like this could lead us. Because when flight becomes lighter, smarter, and longer, our reach—both literally and technologically—grows with it. 👉 Follow me for more posts at the intersection of engineering, innovation, and design. Feel free to repost. 🚀 — 📽️ Video/image credits to original creators. DM for removal or credit. #HAero #NonStopDrone #DroneTechnology #AerialInnovation #ZeppelinDesign #SustainableFlight #AgriTech #SmartCities #DisasterRelief #DataFromTheSky #FutureOfSurveillance #GreenAviation #LinkedInInspiration #NextGenDrones #TechThatFlies #FloatingDataPlatform #DroneForGood #InnovationInMotion