Indoor Drone Inspections: Significant Progress Made Over the Last Year

One year ago, Flyability introduced its groundbreaking drone, the Elios 2. Since then, we've been eager to understand how this innovative tool has been received in the field and what impact it's making across various industries. In this article, we take a closer look at the progress made in industrial drone applications throughout 2019 and share initial feedback from users, pilots, and industry professionals after several months of real-world use with the Elios 2.

2019 – A Turning Point for Robotics in Industrial Inspections

Looking back, 2019 marked a significant milestone for the integration of robotics into industrial inspections. More and more large corporations are adopting drone technology to enhance safety, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. According to a 2019 Bloomberg article titled "Drones Do Deadly Work So You Don’t Have To," companies like Dow, At&T, BASF, and Shell are using drones to protect workers from hazardous environments while cutting inspection expenses significantly. We’re especially proud to see drones transforming confined space inspections. For example, Dow reported eliminating 1,000 confined space entries thanks to robotic solutions, and LafargeHolcim incorporated drones into its “Plants of Tomorrow” initiative. For Flyability, 2019 was all about the launch of the Elios 2 — a drone designed for a wide range of indoor applications, making it accessible even to new users. Its features, such as oblique lighting, distance lock, and intuitive controls, were developed based on direct input from inspectors across multiple industries.

2020 and Beyond – Real-World Insights from Our Customers

Over the past year, many of our customers have shared their experiences and success stories using the Elios 2. Here are some of the most inspiring examples:

Oil & Gas / Maritime

Bureau Veritas France used the Elios 2 to inspect a ballast tank for Total. The results included a safer and faster process, with high-quality HD images captured for post-mission analysis.

Power Generation

Exelon Clearsight used the Elios 2 to cut down time spent in dangerous, radioactive areas. The drone reduced inspection time from two days to just four hours. Read the full story here.

They also used the Elios 2 to inspect a coal power station’s filtration system during maintenance, completing the task in 8 hours instead of 120 using traditional methods. Read the full case study.

Maritime

MFE Rentals, an American partner, conducted a ballast tank inspection using the Elios 2. One pilot completed the task in three 10-minute flights. Traditionally, this would require three to four inspectors with ropes, oxygen monitoring, and extensive safety gear. The caged design and onboard lighting allowed safe and efficient operation without external lighting.

Indoor Photogrammetry – Mining & Beyond

UAS Inc., a mining inspection company, used the Elios 2 for underground photogrammetry. This is just one of many users who praise the drone for its ability to capture detailed data in dark, GPS-denied environments.

Drone Usage and Development

Many asset owners are already seeing a strong return on investment from using drones, even with just a few missions per month. In a survey of 250 Elios 1 and 2 users, 45% conducted 2–5 missions monthly, while 41% did fewer than two.

According to the same study, over 85% of respondents plan to increase the number of indoor drone inspections in the next five years, and 73% expect to expand their indoor drone fleets during that time.

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