Sulzer & Schmid Laboratories has launched its new 3DX SmartPilot drone solution to inspect wind farm blades.
Swiss company has specifically developed this technology to enable inspection campaigns in geographies where site access or complex logistical barriers require a quick, highly portable blade inspection solution.
Operators can use the 3DX SmartPilot to deliver semi-autonomous drone inspections using portable equipment that can be brought onsite easily and deployed immediately, the company said.
Sulzer Schmid co-founder and chief executive Tom Sulzer said: “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.”
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 analysed in the 3DX Blade Platform, the most advanced data management system for blade inspections.