Skydio‘s cutting-edge autonomous technology offers a unique approach to powerline inspections. With the Skydio X2, drone operators can fly the distribution powerline, capturing both visual and thermal inspection imagery simultaneously that can be analyzed for defect or deterioration issues. Additionally, Skydio’s technology is particularly important during unplanned outages when time is of the essence. With the Skydio 2+, the AI autonomous object avoidance system allows drone operators to cover more of the powerline faster and get clear and detailed images, even in storm damaged lines that may be hard-to-reach, making Skydio the ultimate platform for powerline inspections.
One of the major advantages of the Skydio drone platform is its relative ease of use. Unlike a lot of the drone and sensor solutions commonly used for powerline inspection that require expert training to operate, Skydio drones can be flown proficiently by most drone pilots within a few minutes of training. And after just four hours of formal training, the pilot will be flying like a pro. This ease of use makes it easier for drone service providers and utility companies to scale their inspection programs, enabling them to inspect more lines more efficiently. As a result, powerline inspections can be done quicker, and with fewer personnel, reducing overall inspection and maintenance costs.
Accuracy and efficiency are always top priorities when it comes to powerline inspections. The Skydio drone platform is capable of pre-programmed autonomous flight missions providing the exact images at precise distance and angle for the most efficient analysis. The X2 drone is also unaffected by electromagnetic interference allowing the pilot to fly up close to metal and electrical structures with no damage to the drone. Moreover, with its 12MP, 4K60P HDR Camera and 16X Digital Zoom capabilities, the X2 drone is perfectly proficient for powerline inspections.
Skydio X2 and 2+ | Drones for Powerline Inspection
The Skydio X2 Color/Thermal and 2+ drones are ideal for powerline inspection operations and offer exceptional situational awareness from the air, enhancing missions in the field. Skydio Autonomy Enterprise is integrated into the drones, which is an AI-powered autonomous flight engine that provides 360° obstacle avoidance, autonomous tracking, GPS-denied navigation, and complete workflow automation. The X2 has a robust and foldable airframe, GPS-based night flight, and strobing lights in both visible and IR wavelengths, making it an excellent choice for enterprises and first responders. It is designed and assembled in the USA and meets the compliance requirements of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Here are my three top reasons for mentioning this drone:
Powerful Autonomy and Obstacle Avoidance Capabilities
One of the major advantages of using this drone for powerline inspection is its computer vision, which enables real-time mapping of environments and the ability to avoid obstacles and obstructions even in tight or unfamiliar spaces. This allows the drone to navigate through areas that may be difficult or dangerous for human operators or ground-based robots, providing a better view of the scene and enhancing safety.
Visual and Thermal Sensors
The Skydio X2 Color/Thermal is also equipped with a 12MP, 4K60P HDR Camera with 16X Digital Zoom capabilities. The Color lens with ~46° HFOV, is ideal for situational awareness with longer standoff distances. Additionally, the drone has a FLIR® Boson 320 x 256 infrared camera with 8x digital zoom capabilities, empowering operators to identify hotspots in wildfires or detect heat leaks in buildings, making it an indispensable tool for powerline inspection crews dealing with unpredictable and hazardous environments.
Quick Deployment, Flight Time and Range
Another advantage of the
Skydio X2 and 2+ is their ability to go from packed to airborne in under 75 seconds, allowing for a rapid response in emergency situations. The drone has a flight time of up to 35 minutes on a single charge, with a flight range of up to 6 km @ (5 GHz), and a flight speed up to 25 mph (40 km/h). This makes it possible to quickly cover a large area in a single flight, making it ideal for powerline inspection.
In my observation, both the Skydio 2+and the X2 proved to be game-changers. During a recent powerline inspection in a challenging terrain, the Skydio X2 drone, was able to identify hot-spot anomalies using its thermal imaging camera. The drone’s obstacle avoidance capabilities allowed it to navigate through the challenging terrain without risking damage to the drone or the powerline, while its autonomous flight engine ensured a stable and safe flight path. The drone’s real-time video feed enabled the ground team to quickly identify and deploy teams to further investigate and remediate the hot-spot issues, ultimately leading to a successful mission. This experience demonstrated the incredible value of Skydio drones in powerline inspection operations, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable and effective drone solution for this application.
My Pros and Cons for the Skydio X2 and 2+
Starting with the Pros, Skydio drones boast advanced autonomy and obstacle avoidance capabilities, making them safe and efficient to operate even in challenging environments. The X2’s powerful zoom and thermal imaging capabilities are incredibly useful in powerline inspections, making it easier to identify faults quickly and accurately. Additionally, both drones have a durable and rugged design, making them well-suited to handle the demands of powerline inspections.
I am also impressed with Skydio‘s versatility for other applications, such as such as solar farms, building and roof inspection, bridge and structure scanning and a wide array of other inspection services.
Cons: For the X2 Color/Thermal, I can only think of a couple downsides, with the first being the high starting price at $10,999.00 might be a little expensive for Drone Startups. Any drone equipped with a thermal sensor is going to have a cost premium attached. And the second would be the lower resolution 320×256 thermal sensor. And while the Skydio 2+ is much more affordable, the only downside, in relation to powerline inspection, is that it does not carry a thermal sensor, at least yet.
But for those who do require the highest level of flexibility, performance and innovative capabilities, Skydio will definitely be my FIRST recommendation for powerline inspection.
Check out this video from Skydio talking about the use of the Skydio X2 platform for distribution powerline inspection.
Final thoughts...
Skydio Drones are an extremely proficient platform for powerline inspections. Drone Service Providers are empowered to provide powerful inspection data to Utility Companies, along with the intel needed to make informed maintenance decisions, improve efficiencies and uptime, all the while, lowering costs through proactive planning. Skydio’s advanced autonomous technology and high-quality sensors enable drone operators to deliver detailed visual and thermal data bundled with precise analytics and reporting, helping utility companies to identify potential issues before they become problems. With this, utility companies can focus on providing reliable and safe power to communities while enhancing the bottom line.
